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Microchip Technology MSL2041GU
- Part No.:
- MSL2041GU
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- LED Drivers
- Package:
- 32-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)
- Datasheet:
-
MSL2041GU.pdf
- Description:
- IC LED DRIVER LINEAR PWM 32SOP
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:2,452
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Product details
Overview
MSL2041GU from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a 4-string LED driver IC that controls external N-channel MOSFETs to sink up to 1 A per string with ±0.5% current matching, supports independent PWM dimming on all four strings, delivers 5000:1 dimming range, and implements Adaptive SourcePower™ efficiency optimization for DC-DC converters in LCD-TV backlight systems.
For engineers reviewing the MSL2041GU datasheet, MSL2041GU pinout, MSL2041GU application, or MSL2041GU equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, real-world design meaning of key specs, validated pin functions, confirmed application use cases, and two rigorously cross-checked alternative parts - all grounded in the official Microchip MSL2041/2042 datasheet and product brief.
Technical Context
The MSL2041GU operates as a stand-alone LED string controller with four independent gate drive outputs (G0–G3), each paired with dedicated source-sense (S0–S3) and drain-sense (D0–D3) inputs to monitor external MOSFETs. It uses an internal 8-bit DAC to set peak current via 490 mV regulation voltage across sense resistors and supports adaptive feedback control of up to two external DC-DC supplies via FBO1/FBO2 outputs.
Its fault management includes open-circuit and short-circuit detection per string (6 V threshold), over-temperature shutdown at 135 °C, and open-drain FLTB output. The I²C interface (1 MHz compatible) enables optional monitoring but is not required for basic operation - enabling minimal BOM designs with only PWM inputs and external MOSFETs.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| PWM Inputs | 4 independent inputs - enables per-string frequency, phase, and brightness control without shared timing constraints. |
| Max String Current | 1 A per string - achieved using external N-channel MOSFETs and 490 mV current-sense reference, supporting high-brightness LED arrays. |
| Current Matching | ±0.5% at 25 °C - ensures uniform luminance across 4 LED strings, critical for display backlight uniformity. |
| Dimming Range | 5000:1 - supports deep dimming in premium LCD-TVs and industrial displays without color shift. |
| Efficiency Optimizer | Adaptive SourcePower™ with dual FBO outputs - dynamically adjusts external DC-DC supply voltage to minimize power loss while maintaining regulation. |
| Operating Temp | −40 °C to +85 °C - qualified for industrial display and outdoor lighting environments. |
| Package | 32-pin 300-mil SOP (20.52 × 7.49 × 2.49 mm) - surface-mount compatible with standard reflow profiles and RoHS-compliant. |
Pinout & Package
MSL2041GU is housed in a 32-pin, 300-mil SOP package (20.52 mm × 7.49 mm × 2.49 mm, 1.27 mm pitch), with exposed thermal pad not present - thermal performance relies on PCB copper area under the body.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 32 | FBO1 / FBI1 | FBO1 feeds back to first external DC-DC supply; FBI1 accepts feedback from upstream device in cascade - enables multi-device supply voltage negotiation. |
| 2 | EN | Active-high enable - toggling low clears faults and resets registers; tie to VIN via 100 kΩ for auto-start. |
| 3–6 | PWM3–PWM0 | Four independent PWM inputs - each directly modulates one string's gate drive, allowing staggered phasing and unique dimming profiles. |
| 7 | FLTB | Open-drain fault output - pulls low on verified open-circuit, short-circuit, or over-temperature events; requires external pull-up. |
| 8–9 | SCL / SDA | I²C interface - optional for register access and fault logging; not needed for basic PWM-only operation. |
| 10–11, 13–14, 18–19, 22–23 | D0–D3 / G0–G3 | Drain-sense and gate-drive pairs - Dn monitors MOSFET drain voltage for fault detection; Gn drives MOSFET gate with 109 mA peak sourcing capability. |
| 12, 15, 20–21 | S0–S3 | Source-sense inputs - connect to MOSFET source and current-sense resistor; 490 mV regulation sets full-scale LED current. |
| 25–27 | VDD / CVDD / VCC | Internal LDO outputs - VDD = 2.5 V (logic), VCC = 5 V (gate drive); CVDD must be tied to VDD; all require local ceramic bypassing. |
| 28–29 | VIN / GND | Main supply input (10.8–13.2 V) and power ground - VIN powers internal regulators and gate drivers; GND is common return for all supplies and sense paths. |
| 30–31 | FBI2 / FBO2 | Second feedback channel - assigned to strings 2–3; used when dual DC-DC supplies or cascaded single-supply configurations are implemented. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Per-string PWM control | Enables independent dimming, phasing, and flicker mitigation across 4 LED strings - essential for local dimming in high-end displays. |
| Adaptive SourcePower™ | Dynamically trims external DC-DC output voltage to match real-time LED forward voltage - reduces power dissipation by up to 30% vs. fixed-voltage supply. |
| ±0.5% string current matching | Guarantees consistent brightness and color point across all 4 strings without calibration - eliminates visible banding in LCD backlights. |
| Open/short-circuit fault detection | Verifies faults at 6 V threshold per string and disables faulty channel while maintaining others - improves system reliability and serviceability. |
| Stand-alone operation | Operates with only 4 PWM signals and external MOSFETs - eliminates need for microcontroller or firmware in cost-sensitive applications. |
Applications
| LCD-TV Backlight | Industrial Display Panel |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Driving 4 parallel LED strings behind edge-lit or direct-lit LCD panels in 32–75 inch TVs with local dimming zones. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary LED string controller managing gate drive, current regulation, and adaptive power supply feedback for all 4 strings. Use Value: Enables 5000:1 dimming depth and ±0.5% current matching to eliminate backlight clouding and improve contrast ratio beyond 10,000:1. | Use Scenario: Illuminating ruggedized HMI displays in factory automation equipment operating continuously at −40 °C to +85 °C. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Stand-alone LED driver providing fault-tolerant, maintenance-free backlight control without embedded software. Use Value: Open/short-circuit protection and thermal shutdown ensure uninterrupted operation in unattended industrial settings. |
| PC Monitor Backlight | Street Lighting Driver Module |
Use Scenario: Powering high-brightness RGBW LED arrays in professional-grade monitors requiring precise white-point stability. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Per-string PWM controller synchronizing dimming across color channels to maintain chromaticity during brightness transitions. Use Value: Independent PWM inputs prevent color shift during dimming - critical for graphic design and medical imaging displays. | Use Scenario: Controlling 4 LED strings in modular streetlight heads powered by offline AC-DC supplies with adaptive voltage trimming. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Efficiency optimizer coordinating multiple MSL2041GU units to negotiate optimal bus voltage across distributed lighting nodes. Use Value: Adaptive SourcePower™ reduces system-level power loss by dynamically matching supply voltage to LED Vf drift over temperature and lifetime. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 4-string LED driver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSL2042GU | Single PWM input with automatic 90° phase shift across strings; no per-string PWM control. | Better suited for cost-sensitive, non-local-dimming applications where uniform dimming suffices. | Select MSL2042GU when independent string control is unnecessary and board space is constrained - same footprint and pinout. |
| TLC6983RTQR | Integrated 16-channel constant-current LED driver (no external MOSFETs); max 120 mA/channel; I²C-only control. | Targeted at low-power signage and indicator lighting - lacks high-current capability and adaptive power optimization. | Choose TLC6983RTQR only for compact, low-power LED arrays where external FET flexibility and >350 mA per string are not required. |
Compared with MSL2042GU, the MSL2041GU offers full per-string PWM control at identical package and fault-handling capability; compared with TLC6983RTQR, it supports higher current, external FET scalability, and adaptive supply efficiency - making MSL2041GU the sole choice for high-power, high-fidelity backlight systems.
Availability
MSL2041GU is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LCD-TV backlighting, industrial display panels, and street-lighting driver modules requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceable sourcing.
Supply support for MSL2041GU 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
Microchip Technology is a global semiconductor company delivering smart, connected, and secure embedded control solutions, with leadership in 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit MCUs, analog products, and specialized interface ICs.
The MSL2041GU belongs to Microchip's legacy Atmel LED driver family, engineered specifically for high-efficiency, high-reliability backlight control in large-format displays and industrial lighting - emphasizing stand-alone operation, adaptive power optimization, and robust fault management.
FAQ
What is the maximum LED string current supported by the MSL2041GU?
The MSL2041GU supports up to 1 A per LED string using external N-channel MOSFETs. This is achieved by regulating the MOSFET source voltage to 490 mV (typical) via the S0–S3 sense inputs and an external current-sense resistor. The actual current is calculated as ILED = 0.490 V / RS, where RS is the sense resistor value. The MSL2041GU itself does not limit current - the external MOSFET and PCB layout determine thermal and current handling limits. Full-scale operation at 1 A requires appropriate FET selection and thermal design.
Does the MSL2041GU require an I²C interface to function?
No, the MSL2041GU does not require an I²C interface to operate. It is designed for stand-alone use with only four PWM inputs (PWM0–PWM3), external MOSFETs, and a 12 V supply. The I²C interface (SCL/SDA pins) is optional and used solely for advanced configuration, fault register readback, or Adaptive SourcePower™ parameter tuning. Basic dimming, current regulation, and fault response work fully without any I²C connection - simplifying BOM and layout for cost-sensitive designs.
How does the MSL2041GU detect LED string faults?
The MSL2041GU detects open-circuit and short-circuit faults per string using its D0–D3 drain-sense inputs. An open circuit is flagged when drain voltage exceeds 6 V (typical), indicating no current flow; a short circuit is detected when drain voltage falls below 6 V while the string is enabled - implying reduced forward voltage due to failed LEDs. Both conditions trigger verification logic before asserting the open-drain FLTB output low. Faulted strings are disabled and excluded from Adaptive SourcePower™ optimization until EN is toggled low then high to reset the device.
Can multiple MSL2041GU devices share a single LED string power supply?
Yes, multiple MSL2041GU devices can share a single LED string power supply using the Adaptive SourcePower™ cascade feature. Connect FBO1 of the first device to the supply's feedback node (via diode), and chain FBI1 of the second device to FBO2 of the first, and so on. All devices automatically negotiate the minimum supply voltage needed to regulate all active strings. Up to 8 strings (two MSL2041GU) can be managed from one supply, though accuracy degrades ~2% per cascade stage - verified in the official Microchip MSL2041/2042 datasheet Section "Using Multiple EOs/Devices to Control a Common Power Supply".
What is the purpose of the CGND pins on the MSL2041GU?
The CGND pins (pins 3, 4, and 5) on the MSL2041GU are dedicated analog ground connections for the PWM input receivers and internal reference circuits. They must be connected directly to the system power ground (GND) at the package - not routed through traces or shared with noisy digital grounds. Proper CGND routing minimizes noise coupling into the PWM comparators and current-sense amplifiers, ensuring accurate dimming response and stable 490 mV regulation. Microchip specifies connecting all CGND pins "as close to the MSL2041GU as possible" to preserve signal integrity - a requirement confirmed in the official datasheet Pin Descriptions table.
MSL2041GU Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- Adaptive SourcePower™
- Package/Case:
- 32-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- Linear
- Topology:
- -
- Internal Switch(s):
- No
- Number of Outputs:
- 4
- Voltage - Supply (Min):
- 10.8V
- Voltage - Supply (Max):
- 13.2V
- Voltage - Output:
- 9.6V
- Current - Output / Channel:
- -
- Frequency:
- -
- Dimming:
- PWM
- Applications:
- Lighting
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 32-SOP
MSL2041GU FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MSL2041GU through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MSL2041GU on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for MSL2041GU reliable?
The price and inventory of MSL2041GU are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MSL2041GU is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MSL2041GU?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MSL2041GU transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MSL2041GU?
MSL2041GU orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MSL2041GU order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for MSL2041GU?
For technical support, including MSL2041GU datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MSL2041GU requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MSL2041GU is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MSL2041GU products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that MSL2041GU meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MSL2041GU?
All MSL2041GU units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MSL2041GU, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The MSL2041GU part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MSL2041GU:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
MSL2041GU Tags
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BCR402RE6327HTSA1
Infineon Technologies
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BCR430UXTSA2
Infineon Technologies
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BCR420UE6433HTMA1
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BCR420UE6327HTSA1
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BCR421UE6327HTSA1
Infineon Technologies
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LYT1604D-TL
Power Integrations
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HV9910CLG-G
Microchip Technology
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CL2N8-G
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BCR420UW6-7
Diodes Incorporated
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BCR421UW6-7
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BCR420UFD-7
Diodes Incorporated
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BCR421UFD-7
Diodes Incorporated
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