Diodes Incorporated PAM2861EV1

Overview

PAM2861EV1 from Diodes Incorporated is an evaluation board for the PAM2861 high-efficiency buck LED driver IC in SOT-23-5 package, supporting 1–10 series-connected 1W/3W LEDs with up to 40V input, analog/PWM dimming via VSET (0.4–2.5V or <500Hz), and integrated power MOSFET. It delivers >90% efficiency at 350mA output with 12V input.

For engineers reviewing the PAM2861EV1 datasheet, PAM2861EV1 pinout, PAM2861EV1 application, or PAM2861EV1 equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of LED current regulation accuracy, thermal performance under continuous conduction mode, dimming linearity, and layout-sensitive switching noise behavior in high-brightness lighting designs.

Technical Context

The PAM2861EV1 implements a constant-current buck topology with internal 0.3Ω sense resistor interface, fixed 1.25MHz switching frequency, and cycle-by-cycle peak current limiting. It operates in continuous conduction mode (CCM) across 6–40V VIN and regulates LED current via external R_ISENSE (e.g., 0.3Ω for 333mA).

Dimming control is implemented through the VSET pin accepting either DC voltage (0.4–2.5V) for linear analog dimming or low-frequency PWM (<500Hz) with duty-cycle-dependent current scaling. The board integrates SS14 Schottky diode, 100µH power inductor, and 10µF/25V input ceramic capacitor optimized for minimal ripple and EMI.

Key Specifications

Availability

PAM2861EV1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED lighting prototyping, automotive interior lighting validation, and industrial status indicator development requiring stable component supply and documented reference design implementation.

Supply support for PAM2861EV1 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

Diodes Incorporated is a global manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and analog ICs, specializing in power management, signal integrity, and LED lighting solutions.

The PAM2861 product line targets high-efficiency, thermally robust LED drivers for architectural, signage, and transportation lighting where reliability and dimming fidelity are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum LED string voltage supported by PAM2861EV1?

The PAM2861EV1 supports LED string voltages up to 36V when operating from a 40V input, as determined by the PAM2861 IC's 40V VIN rating minus typical dropout (≤4V). This accommodates up to ten 3.6V white LEDs in series at full drive current.

Can PAM2861EV1 be used with 3W LEDs?

Yes - the board supports 3W LEDs by replacing R1 with 0.143Ω ±1% to set ~700mA output current, using the same 100µH inductor (rated 0.7A) only if derated to ≤600mA continuous; for full 700mA, Würth WE-PD2 47µH/1.2A is recommended per the BOM guidelines.

Is external soft-start capacitor required for normal operation?

No - C2 (10nF) is optional and intended only to increase soft-start time to 1.5ms during evaluation; it is explicitly excluded from standard application circuits per the User Guide and must be omitted in production designs to avoid startup delay and regulation instability.

Does PAM2861EV1 include the PAM2861 IC or PAM2862 IC?

The PAM2861EV1 board is configured for the PAM2861 IC (40V max VIN, supports up to 10-series LEDs); the silkscreen and BOM specify "PAM2861/2", but the actual populated IC is PAM2861, as confirmed by the schematic pinout, input voltage rating, and LED count capability stated in Section 3 of the User Guide.