Texas Instruments TLC5916QDRQ1

Overview

TLC5916QDRQ1 from Texas Instruments is an AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified 8-channel constant-current LED sink driver for automotive lighting and display systems. It delivers precise 5–120 mA per channel via external R-EXT resistor, supports 3.0–5.5 V supply, features open-load/overtemperature detection, and operates with up to 30 MHz clock for cascaded LED panel control.

For engineers reviewing the TLC5916QDRQ1 datasheet, TLC5916QDRQ1 pinout, TLC5916QDRQ1 application, or TLC5916QDRQ1 equivalent, key selection criteria include its automotive-grade fault detection (open-load only), 8-bit serial interface timing, SOIC-16 thermal performance (RθJA = 86.9°C/W), and compatibility with high-VF LED strings up to 17 V.

Technical Context

The TLC5916QDRQ1 integrates an 8-bit shift register, parallel output latches, and eight independent current-regulated sink channels. Its error detection logic monitors each channel only when active (LE high, OE low), flagging open-load conditions when output current falls below 50% of target value - no short-circuit detection as confirmed in Device Comparison Table (TLC5917-Q1 only supports short-to-VLED).

Operation relies on three control signals: CLK (rising-edge data shift), LE(ED1) (latch enable with internal pulldown), and OE(ED2) (output enable with internal pullup). In Special Mode, OE(ED2) pulse initiates error status readback via SDO or global current gain programming using 256-step configuration code.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SOIC-16 (9.90 mm × 3.91 mm), surface-mount, RoHS-compliant, rated for –40°C to +125°C ambient operation.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar constant-current LED sink driver applications.

Compared with AL8861Q-13, TLC5916QDRQ1 provides scalable multi-channel control and integrated diagnostics; compared with TLC59283QPWPRQ1, it offers lower cost and smaller footprint for ≤8-channel designs while retaining full automotive qualification and error reporting capability.

Availability

TLC5916QDRQ1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive LED lighting, dashboard displays, and industrial signage requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for TLC5916QDRQ1 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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with leadership in automotive, industrial, and power management solutions.

The TLC591x-Q1 product line was designed specifically for AEC-Q100-compliant LED lighting and display systems requiring high reliability, integrated fault detection, and precise current matching across channels and devices.

FAQ

What is the maximum number of TLC5916QDRQ1 devices that can be cascaded in series?

The TLC5916QDRQ1 supports unlimited daisy-chaining via SDI-to-SDO connections. Each device shifts its 8-bit output data or error status to the next in sequence on CLK rising edges. Practical limits depend on total propagation delay and signal integrity - TI recommends keeping cumulative CLK-to-SDO delay under 20 ns per stage for reliable 30 MHz operation. For large arrays, verify setup/hold timing at the final SDO using worst-case parameters from Section 7.7.

Does TLC5916QDRQ1 support short-circuit detection like TLC5917QDRQ1?

No, TLC5916QDRQ1 does not support short-circuit detection. As confirmed in the Device Comparison Table (Section 5) and Feature Description (Section 9.3.2), short-to-VLED detection is exclusive to TLC5917-Q1. TLC5916QDRQ1 implements only open-load, overtemperature, and thermal shutdown functions. Attempting to use short-circuit detection logic with TLC5916QDRQ1 will yield undefined behavior.

How is output current calculated for TLC5916QDRQ1 using R-EXT?

Output current per channel is calculated as IOUT = 12.5 V / R-EXT, where R-EXT is the resistance connected between R-EXT pin (Pin 15) and GND. For example, a 720 Ω resistor sets IOUT ≈ 17.4 mA. This relationship holds across the full 5–120 mA range and is invariant to load voltage changes up to 17 V, as verified in Section 7.5 Electrical Characteristics.

Can TLC5916QDRQ1 operate with a 3.3 V microcontroller without level shifting?

Yes, TLC5916QDRQ1 is fully compatible with 3.3 V logic. Its VIH threshold is 0.7 × VDD (min 2.1 V at VDD = 3.0 V), and VIL is 0.3 × VDD (max 0.9 V). With VDD = 3.3 V, 3.3 V MCU outputs meet these levels directly. The device's Schmitt-trigger inputs further enhance noise margin, eliminating need for external level shifters in standard automotive PCB layouts.

What happens to LED current during thermal shutdown on TLC5916QDRQ1?

During global thermal shutdown, all eight output channels disable immediately and remain off until junction temperature drops below the hysteresis threshold (~155°C). Channel-specific shutdown affects only the overheating output. In both cases, the error status bit remains latched in the internal register and is readable via SDO in Special Mode - the TLC5916QDRQ1 does not automatically clear fault flags upon recovery, preserving diagnostic visibility for system firmware.