Texas Instruments TLC5923DAPR

Overview

TLC5923DAPR from Texas Instruments is a 16-channel constant-current LED sink driver with per-channel 7-bit dot correction (128-step brightness adjustment), ±1% typical current accuracy, and integrated LED open detection (LOD) and thermal error flag (TEF). It operates from 3.0 V to 5.5 V supply, supports up to 80 mA per channel, and targets high-reliability LED display systems requiring precise current matching across channels.

For engineers reviewing the TLC5923DAPR datasheet, TLC5923DAPR pinout, TLC5923DAPR application, or TLC5923DAPR equivalent, key selection criteria include its 32-pin HTSSOP PowerPAD™ package, 30 MHz serial interface clock rate, BLANK-controlled global output disable, and mode-selectable ON/OFF vs. dot-correction data loading via MODE pin.

Technical Context

The TLC5923DAPR implements dual-mode serial control: MODE = L configures the device for 16-bit ON/OFF register loading via edge-triggered XLAT, while MODE = H enables 112-bit dot-correction register loading via level-triggered XLAT. Its internal architecture includes independent 7-bit DC registers per channel, a shared IREF-based current reference, and graduated 20 ns inter-channel output delay to suppress inrush current.

Error reporting is consolidated on the open-drain XERR pin, which asserts low on either LOD (output voltage < 0.3 V with BLANK = L and ON state) or TEF (junction temperature > 160°C). LOD status can be read back serially through SOUT after latching via XLAT, supporting diagnostics without external sensors.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 32-pin HTSSOP (DAP) with exposed thermal PowerPAD™, rated for 42.54 mW/°C derating above 25°C ambient and 5318 mW max power dissipation when soldered.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TLC5923DAPR, TLC5940RHBR offers finer grayscale control but requires external components for current setting and lacks diagnostics, while IS31FL3728-QFLS4-TR simplifies system integration with I²C but sacrifices cascading flexibility and BLANK-based flicker suppression.

Availability

TLC5923DAPR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for monocolor signboards, full-color displays, LED backlighting, multicolor indicators, and industrial HMI applications requiring stable component supply and long-term production continuity.

Supply support for TLC5923DAPR 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 leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and digital signal technologies, with decades of expertise in precision power and signal conditioning ICs.

The TLC5923 belongs to TI's high-accuracy LED driver product line, designed specifically for demanding visual applications where channel-to-channel current matching, diagnostic integrity, and robust serial control are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the maximum output current per channel for the TLC5923DAPR?

The TLC5923DAPR supports a maximum constant-current sink of 80 mA per channel (OUT0–OUT15) under recommended operating conditions. This value is set externally via the IREF pin resistor: I_OUT(MAX) = 40 × (1.24 V / R_IREF). For example, a 600 Ω resistor yields ~82.7 mA, and the absolute maximum rating allows up to 90 mA with appropriate thermal management. The TLC5923DAPR maintains ±1% typical current accuracy across all channels at this level.

How does the TLC5923DAPR implement LED open detection (LOD)?

The TLC5923DAPR detects an open LED when three conditions occur simultaneously: BLANK = LOW, the corresponding ON/OFF bit = HIGH, and the output voltage (OUTn) falls below 0.3 V (typical). This condition pulls the open-drain XERR pin low. Additionally, LOD status per channel can be read back serially via SOUT after latching with XLAT, allowing software diagnostics. The TLC5923DAPR provides real-time, hardware-accelerated fault detection without external circuitry.

Can multiple TLC5923DAPR devices be cascaded, and how is data routed?

Yes, TLC5923DAPR devices support daisy-chain configuration: connect SOUT of one device to SIN of the next. Serial data (ON/OFF or dot-correction) shifts through the chain on SCLK rising edges. XLAT must be asserted globally to latch data into all devices simultaneously. Cascading preserves the 30 MHz interface speed, and total data width scales linearly (e.g., two devices require 32 or 224 bits). The TLC5923DAPR's SOUT pin functions as both data output and diagnostic feedback path, enabling scalable, low-pin-count LED systems.

What is the role of the MODE pin on the TLC5923DAPR?

The MODE pin on the TLC5923DAPR selects between two distinct serial data protocols: MODE = LOW configures the internal shift register for 16-bit ON/OFF data (1 bit per channel), while MODE = HIGH configures it for 112-bit dot-correction data (7 bits per channel). This dual-mode architecture separates basic switching from precision brightness tuning, preventing accidental corruption of correction values during routine state updates. The TLC5923DAPR requires explicit MODE pin control before each data transfer cycle to ensure correct register mapping.

Does the TLC5923DAPR support PWM dimming, and how is it implemented?

The TLC5923DAPR does not integrate PWM generators but supports external PWM dimming via the BLANK pin: driving BLANK high disables all 16 outputs instantly and synchronously, while BLANK low enables normal operation per register states. This allows microcontroller-generated PWM signals (up to system bandwidth limits) to control overall brightness without altering dot-correction or ON/OFF registers. The TLC5923DAPR's fast output switching (10 ns rise/fall time) ensures clean PWM edges and minimal ghosting, making it suitable for high-frequency, flicker-free dimming schemes.