Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MPQ7231GLE-D30-AEC1-P

Overview

MPQ7231GLE-D30-AEC1-P 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 PWM dimming from 10Hz–2kHz, and enforces factory-trimmed 3ms LED on-time limit for ASIL-compliant eye safety in automotive DMS and camera illumination.

For engineers reviewing the MPQ7231GLE-D30-AEC1-P datasheet, MPQ7231GLE-D30-AEC1-P pinout, MPQ7231GLE-D30-AEC1-P application, or MPQ7231GLE-D30-AEC1-P equivalent, key selection criteria include its dual-mode topology configurability via IREF resistor, wettable-flank QFN-19 package, AEC-Q100 qualification, integrated thermal derating via NTC, and fault-latched open-drain FAULT pin behavior under LED short/open conditions.

Technical Context

The MPQ7231 operates in constant-current mode with hysteretic control for zero-loop-compensation transient response and supports two distinct switching frequencies: 2.4MHz in buck mode and 1.25MHz in buck-boost mode, both enhanced by frequency spread spectrum (FSS) to reduce EMI peaks. Its internal current-sense architecture eliminates external sense resistors while maintaining ±5% LED current accuracy over temperature.

Eye safety is enforced through hardware-limited dimming on-time (3ms for D30 variant), LED current limiting, and dedicated fault detection for LED short-to-battery/ground, LED open, over-current (latched), and thermal events. Remote NTC sensing enables configurable thermal derating starting at user-defined junction temperatures.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MPQ7231GLE-D30-AEC1-P uses a thermally enhanced QFN-19 (3mm × 4mm) package with exposed thermal pad and wettable flanks for reliable reflow and AOI compatibility.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MPQ7231GLE-D10-AEC1-P and MPQ7231GLE-D50-AEC1-P, the D30 variant provides the optimal balance of radiant exposure control and illumination energy for mainstream automotive DMS and camera systems requiring ASIL-B compliance without sacrificing optical range.

Availability

MPQ7231GLE-D30-AEC1-P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS), IR illumination for ADAS cameras, surveillance systems, and in-cabin gesture recognition requiring stable component supply with AEC-Q100 qualification and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for MPQ7231GLE-D30-AEC1-P 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™ functional safety product line, engineered specifically for ASIL-compliant automotive lighting systems requiring hardware-enforced eye safety, fault diagnostics, and AEC-Q100 Grade 1 operation.

FAQ

What distinguishes MPQ7231GLE-D30-AEC1-P from other variants in the MPQ7231 family?

The "D30" suffix indicates factory-trimmed 3ms LED dimming on-time limit, optimized for ASIL-B compliant Driver Monitoring Systems. Unlike D10 (1ms) or D50 (5ms), D30 balances radiant exposure safety with sufficient photon flux for reliable facial feature capture at typical DMS working distances.

How does the MPQ7231 handle thermal derating, and what external components are required?

Thermal derating is configured via an external NTC thermistor network connected between NTC and AGND pins. The IC sources current from IREF to NTC, enabling programmable current reduction starting at user-defined junction temperatures - no additional op-amps or microcontrollers are needed.

Can the MPQ7231 operate in both buck and buck-boost modes on the same PCB layout?

Yes - topology selection is resistor-programmable via the IREF pin: ≥14.7kΩ selects buck mode (3A peak), ≤9.09kΩ selects buck-boost mode (2.4A peak). Layout must accommodate both configurations, particularly SW node routing and inductor placement, but no hardware changes are required after assembly.

What protection features are latched versus auto-recovering?

Over-current protection (OCP), LED open, LED short-to-battery/ground, and thermal shutdown trigger latched FAULT assertion - the device remains off until EN is cycled. UVLO and transient overvoltage events are auto-recovering once conditions normalize.

Does the MPQ7231 require an external current-sense resistor?

No - the MPQ7231 integrates high-accuracy current sensing using its internal MOSFET RDS(ON) and proprietary sensing architecture. This eliminates external sense resistors, reducing power loss, board space, and cost while maintaining ±5% LED current accuracy across temperature.

How is CISPR25 Class 5 compliance achieved without external EMI filters?

CISPR25 Class 5 compliance is achieved through integrated frequency spread spectrum (FSS) modulation, optimized gate drive slew rates, low-noise hysteretic control, and careful internal node isolation - validated in buck mode with standard 3.3µH inductor and minimal external components per MPS EVB testing.

What is the role of the INGND pin, and how should it be connected in buck versus buck-boost topologies?

INGND serves as the reference ground for DIM, EN, FAULT, and VIN in buck-boost mode. In buck topology, it must be connected to PGND or AGND - leaving it floating or improperly tied causes undefined fault behavior and potential latch-up during startup.