Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z

Overview

MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z from Monolithic Power Systems is an AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified synchronous buck-boost or buck LED driver optimized for automotive infrared (IR) illumination. It delivers up to 1.2A constant current in buck-boost mode (6V–42V input) or 3A in buck mode, supports PWM dimming down to 10Hz, and integrates 44mΩ/40mΩ high-/low-side MOSFETs in a QFN-19 (3mm×4mm) wettable flank package for DMS and camera IR lighting.

For engineers reviewing the MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z datasheet, MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z pinout, MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z application in driver monitoring systems, or MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z equivalent for IR LED driving, this page details its dual-mode topology configuration, thermal derating via NTC, fault-indicating open-drain FAULT pin, and spread-spectrum EMI reduction - all critical for automotive-grade reliability and low-noise IR illumination design.

Technical Context

The MPQ7230 operates in fixed-frequency hysteretic control mode, enabling ultra-fast transient response without external loop compensation. Its topology is selected dynamically at power-up via resistor value on IREF: ≤9.09kΩ configures buck-boost (1.2A max), ≥14.7kΩ selects buck (3A max).

It integrates dual power MOSFETs with matched R_DS(ON) (44mΩ HS / 40mΩ LS), supports remote NTC-based thermal derating, and provides comprehensive protection including LED short/open, output OVP/UVP, latch-off OCP, and thermal shutdown at 155°C–185°C. Fault status is reported via open-drain FAULT pin with internal 300kΩ pull-up to VIN.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z is housed in a thermally enhanced QFN-19 (3mm×4mm) package with wettable flanks and exposed thermal pad (PGND-connected). Pin 1 is marked by dot; pins 4/13 are VIN, pins 5/6/11/12 are PGND, and pin 14 is INGND - critical for proper topology grounding separation between buck and buck-boost configurations.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar IR LED driver applications.

Compared with MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z, MPQ7220GLE-AEC1-Z offers higher peak current but sacrifices topology flexibility and thermal adaptability, while TLC5940QPWPRQ1 provides channel-level precision at the cost of efficiency and integration - making the MPQ7230 optimal for compact, robust, dual-mode automotive IR illumination.

Availability

MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for driver monitoring systems (DMS), automotive night-vision cameras, and in-cabin occupancy detection requiring stable component supply, AEC-Q100 compliance, and production-ready wettable-flank packaging.

Supply support for MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in high-performance power management ICs, with over two decades of expertise in DC/DC conversion, LED drivers, and motor control solutions.

The MPQ7230 belongs to MPS's automotive-grade LED driver product line, engineered specifically for infrared illumination in safety-critical ADAS and cabin sensing applications - emphasizing thermal resilience, EMI robustness, and topology adaptability across diverse vehicle electrical architectures.

FAQ

What topology does MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z support, and how is it selected?

MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z supports both buck and buck-boost topologies. Selection occurs at power-up based on the resistor value connected from IREF to GND: ≤9.09kΩ configures buck-boost mode (1.2A max), while ≥14.7kΩ selects buck mode (3A max). The device samples IREF once on the first EN rising edge and locks the mode for that power cycle.

How does the FAULT pin indicate specific failure conditions?

The FAULT pin is an open-drain output pulled low for LED short (to GND or battery), LED open, over-current protection (OCP) latch-off, over-temperature protection (OTP), or false-mode detection. It features internal 300kΩ pull-up to VIN and 4MΩ pull-down to INGND, enabling direct connection to a microcontroller GPIO for interrupt-driven diagnostics without external components.

Can MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z drive 940nm IR LEDs at 120FPS without flicker?

Yes. The device supports PWM dimming frequencies from 10Hz to 2kHz and is explicitly validated for 30FPS, 60FPS, and 120FPS synchronization. Its fast transient response (enabled by hysteretic control) and guaranteed 100µs minimum dim-on time ensure stable, jitter-free current delivery even at 120Hz frame rates required for high-speed gesture recognition and DMS.

What is the role of the NTC pin, and how is thermal derating configured?

The NTC pin accepts a resistor network (e.g., NTC thermistor + pull-up/down resistors) to configure three-stage thermal derating: 98% → 74% → 50% of nominal LED current at corresponding NTC voltages (1.25V → 0.89V → 0.53V). This allows gradual current reduction before thermal shutdown, preserving illumination functionality in sustained high-temperature environments like headlamp housings.

Does MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z require external compensation components?

No. MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z uses constant-frequency hysteretic control, which eliminates the need for external loop compensation components (e.g., Type II/III compensators, feedforward capacitors). This simplifies design, reduces BOM count, and ensures inherently stable operation across input voltage, load, and temperature variations without tuning.

How is EMI performance enhanced in this device?

EMI is reduced via built-in spread-spectrum frequency modulation (±10% around 410kHz) and configurable BST-SW damping resistor. These features lower peak radiated emissions by >10dB compared to fixed-frequency operation, facilitating compliance with stringent automotive EMC standards such as CISPR 25 Class 5 without additional shielding or filtering.

Is the QFN-19 package suitable for automated optical inspection (AOI)?

Yes. The MPQ7230GLE-AEC1-Z uses a wettable flank QFN-19 (3mm×4mm) package, where the vertical sidewalls of the leads are plated to enable reliable solder fillet inspection via AOI systems. This supports high-yield, zero-defect manufacturing for automotive-tier production lines.