Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MPQ7231GLE-D00-AEC1-Z

Overview

MPQ7231GLE-D00-AEC1-Z from Monolithic Power Systems is an AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified, fixed-frequency synchronous IR LED driver supporting buck (3A peak) or buck-boost (2.4A peak) topologies. It integrates 44mΩ HS-FET and 40mΩ LS-FET, delivers 10Hz–2kHz PWM dimming for 30/60/120fps automotive imaging, and features factory-trimmed 1ms eye-safety on-time limit. Designed for DMS and IR camera illumination in 6V–42V automotive battery systems.

For engineers reviewing the MPQ7231GLE-D00-AEC1-Z datasheet, MPQ7231GLE-D00-AEC1-Z pinout, MPQ7231GLE-D00-AEC1-Z application, or MPQ7231GLE-D00-AEC1-Z equivalent, key selection criteria include its dual-mode topology configurability via IREF resistor, NTC-based thermal derating, fault-latched open-drain FAULT pin, and QFN-19 wettable flank package optimized for automotive thermal and EMC requirements.

Technical Context

The MPQ7231 operates in constant-current hysteretic control mode with no loop compensation required, enabling sub-100ns transient response to LED current steps. Its dual-mode architecture selects buck (≥14.7kΩ IREF) or buck-boost (≤9.09kΩ IREF) based on external resistor value, with independent switching frequencies: 2.4MHz (buck, ±10% FSS) or 1.25MHz (buck-boost, ±10% FSS).

Eye safety is enforced by hardware-limited dimming on-time (1ms for -D00 variant), LED current limiting, and ASIL-aligned fault detection including LED short-to-battery/ground, LED open, over-current (latched), and thermal shutdown at 170°C. The device uses dedicated AGND/INGND separation and BST capacitor routing to maintain stability under high dv/dt conditions.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MPQ7231GLE-D00-AEC1-Z is housed in a thermally enhanced QFN-19 (3mm×4mm) package with exposed thermal pad and wettable flanks for automotive-grade solder joint inspection. Pin 1 is marked with dot; pins 5,6,11,12 are PGND; pin 14 is INGND (buck-boost reference); pin 15 is AGND (analog ground, externally tied to PGND).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MPQ7231GLE-D00-AEC1-Z, the -D30 and -D50 variants retain identical topology flexibility, thermal management, and EMI performance but trade reduced eye-safety margin for higher per-pulse IR irradiance-making -D00 the sole choice for ASIL-B-compliant automotive DMS.

Availability

MPQ7231GLE-D00-AEC1-Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS), automotive IR camera illumination, and surveillance systems requiring stable component supply with AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification and long-term automotive lifecycle support.

Supply support for MPQ7231GLE-D00-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 for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications, with design centers in the US, China, and Taiwan.

The MPQ7231 belongs to MPS's MPSafe™ automotive-grade LED driver product line, engineered specifically for ASIL-aligned infrared illumination in driver monitoring and ADAS camera systems, emphasizing functional safety, thermal resilience, and CISPR25 compliance.

FAQ

What is the difference between MPQ7231GLE-D00-AEC1-Z and other MPQ7231 variants like -D30 or -D50?

The suffix denotes factory-trimmed dimming on-time limits: -D00 = 1ms, -D30 = 3ms, -D50 = 5ms. All share identical pinout, electrical specs, package, and AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification. Only the hardware-enforced maximum LED conduction time differs, directly impacting ASIL-B compliance eligibility.

Can MPQ7231GLE-D00-AEC1-Z operate in both buck and buck-boost modes simultaneously?

No. The topology is statically configured at power-up via the IREF resistor value: ≥14.7kΩ selects buck mode (2.4MHz fSW), ≤9.09kΩ selects buck-boost mode (1.25MHz fSW). Mode detection occurs once during startup and remains fixed until reset.

How does the FAULT pin behave during normal operation versus fault conditions?

FAULT is an open-drain output with internal 300kΩ pull-up to VIN and 4MΩ pull-down to INGND. It remains high during normal operation. It pulls low and latches during LED short (to battery or ground), LED open, over-current, or thermal shutdown - requiring EN cycle to clear.

What is the purpose of the NTC pin, and how is it implemented in a typical design?

The NTC pin connects to a negative temperature coefficient thermistor network between NTC and AGND. It enables configurable thermal derating: as temperature rises, the NTC resistance drops, reducing LED current proportionally. The IC monitors VNTC and triggers OTP at 0.37V.

Is external current sensing required for LED current regulation?

No. MPQ7231GLE-D00-AEC1-Z uses an integrated current-sense resistor and internal amplification. LED current is set solely by the external resistor from ISET to ground (VISET = 0.57V), eliminating accuracy drift and board space associated with external sense resistors.

Does the device support analog dimming, or is PWM the only method?

Only PWM dimming is supported via the DIM pin. There is no analog (DC) dimming capability. The DIM input accepts 10Hz–2kHz pulses; average LED current is proportional to duty cycle, while peak current remains fixed by ISET configuration.

What PCB layout practices are critical for achieving CISPR25 Class 5 compliance?

Minimize SW node area, use solid PGND plane under IC, place BST capacitor <1mm from SW/BST pins with short traces, route INGND separately from PGND in buck-boost mode, and avoid routing sensitive analog traces (IREF, ISET, NTC) near power loops.