STMicroelectronics STEVAL-ILL021V1

Overview

STEVAL-ILL021V1 from STMicroelectronics is an LCD panel backlight demonstration board built around the LED7707 monolithic boost converter and six-channel constant-current LED driver IC. It supports 4.5–36 V input, delivers up to 36 V boost output, drives up to 10 white LEDs per row at 85 mA max per channel, features ±2.0% current matching between rows, and includes open/short LED fault detection for automotive and industrial display backlighting.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-ILL021V1 datasheet, STEVAL-ILL021V1 pinout, STEVAL-ILL021V1 application, or STEVAL-ILL021V1 equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of high-efficiency LED backlight architectures with programmable dimming, thermal shutdown, OVP, and multi-device synchronization capability.

Technical Context

The board implements a peak-current-mode controlled boost converter (250 kHz–1 MHz adjustable switching frequency) with internal 5 V LDO supply and integrated power MOSFET. It powers six independent current-sink channels, each programmable up to 85 mA with <10 µs minimum PWM dimming pulse width and 1% duty cycle support at 1 kHz.

LED fault management includes real-time open-circuit and short-circuit detection per row, with configurable row disable and floating unused outputs. Protection features include non-latched thermal shutdown, overvoltage protection on the boost output, and internal MOSFET overcurrent limiting.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-ILL021V1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LCD backlight evaluation, automotive instrument cluster prototyping, and industrial HMI display development requiring stable component supply and reference-grade implementation fidelity.

Supply support for STEVAL-ILL021V1 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

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power ICs, sensors, and analog/mixed-signal devices for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The STEVAL-ILL021V1 belongs to ST's lighting evaluation board portfolio, developed specifically to accelerate adoption of its LED7707-based backlight solutions for high-reliability, multi-string LCD displays.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the STEVAL-ILL021V1?

The STEVAL-ILL021V1 is a demonstration board that implements the LED7707 IC to drive up to six parallel strings of white LEDs for LCD panel backlighting. It integrates a high-efficiency boost converter and six precision current sinks with fault detection, enabling full-system validation of brightness control, thermal behavior, and reliability under real-world load conditions.

Does the board support PWM dimming, and what is its minimum controllable duty cycle?

Yes, the board supports external PWM dimming with a minimum pulse width of less than 10 µs. At 1 kHz frequency, it reliably achieves 1% duty cycle, allowing fine-grained grayscale control without visible flicker or current overshoot in LED strings.

Can the STEVAL-ILL021V1 be used with different LED configurations?

Yes - each of the six current-sink rows can be individually enabled or disabled, and LED current is externally programmable via resistor networks. The board supports up to 10 white LEDs per string (36 V max output), and row current can be scaled below 85 mA to match lower-VF or fewer-LED configurations.

What protections are implemented on the STEVAL-ILL021V1 board?

The board implements LED open/short fault detection per row, non-latched thermal shutdown, boost output overvoltage protection (OVP), and internal MOSFET overcurrent limiting. These protections are inherited directly from the LED7707 IC and operate autonomously without host MCU intervention.