Texas Instruments TLC5944RHBR
- Part No.:
- TLC5944RHBR
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Category:
- LED Drivers
- Package:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
TLC5944RHBR.pdf
- Description:
- IC LED DRIVER LINEAR 60MA 32VQFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
TLC5944RHBR from Texas Instruments is a 16-channel, 12-bit PWM constant-current LED sink driver with integrated 6-bit dot correction and pre-charge FET. It delivers ±1% channel-to-channel current accuracy, supports up to 60 mA per channel, operates from 3.0 V to 5.5 V VCC and 3.0 V to 15 V VUP, and targets multiplexed LED display systems requiring precise brightness uniformity and ghosting suppression.
For engineers reviewing the TLC5944RHBR datasheet, TLC5944RHBR pinout, TLC5944RHBR application, or TLC5944RHBR equivalent, key selection criteria include its QFN-32 package thermal performance (27.86 mW/°C), 33-MHz grayscale clock support, continuous LED open detection (LOD), thermal error flag (TEF) with +162°C threshold, and daisy-chainable serial interface for large-scale LED matrix control.
Technical Context
The TLC5944RHBR implements dual-stage serial control: grayscale data (12-bit, 4096 steps) and dot correction data (6-bit, 64 steps) share SIN/SCLK/XLAT/DCSEL pins but are latched separately via DCSEL logic. Its internal pre-charge FET activates during BLANK low to discharge LED parasitic capacitance before current sinking, eliminating ghosting in time-multiplexed displays.
Error handling is hardware-automated: LOD detects open or GND-short LEDs during active display using 0.3 V threshold; TEF triggers thermal shutdown at +162°C junction temperature with +10°C hysteresis; PTW asserts at +120°C to warn of high-temperature operation while maintaining output drive. All flags feed into open-drain XERR output.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Output channels | 16 independent constant-current sink outputs (OUT0–OUT15), each adjustable via dot correction and PWM |
| Grayscale resolution | 12-bit (4096-step) PWM timing control synchronized to 33-MHz GSCLK for fine luminance gradation |
| Dot correction range | 6-bit (64-step) per-channel current scaling (0–100% of IOLCMax) to compensate LED brightness variance |
| Max sink current | 60 mA per channel (typical), set by external IREF resistor; ±1% channel-to-channel matching ensures display uniformity |
| Thermal protection | Thermal Error Flag (TEF) at +162°C junction temp with automatic output disable; Pre-Thermal Warning (PTW) at +120°C |
| LED fault detection | Continuous LED Open Detection (LOD) during display period with 0.3 V threshold and auto-output-off on fault |
| Supply ranges | VCC = 3.0–5.5 V; VUP = 3.0–15 V - enables direct drive of high-Vf LED strings without external boost |
Pinout & Package
Package: 5 mm × 5 mm QFN-32 with exposed thermal pad (RHB suffix). Designed for high-power density LED driver applications requiring efficient heat dissipation through PCB copper area.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| SIN (Pin 2) | Serial data input | Accepts grayscale or dot correction data bits; MSB-first, shifted on SCLK rising edge per DCSEL selection |
| SCLK (Pin 1) | Serial clock input | Drives shift register clock; supports up to 30 MHz for fast configuration loading |
| DCSEL (Pin 3) | Data select input | Low = grayscale shift/latch mode; High = dot correction shift/latch mode; must be stable during SCLK high |
| XLAT (Pin 32) | Latch strobe input | Transfers data from shift register to latch on rising edge; required before GSCLK starts PWM cycle |
| BLANK (Pin 31) | Global output disable | High = all outputs off, grayscale counter reset; low = enable PWM-controlled current sinking |
| GSCLK (Pin 24) | Grayscale clock input | 33-MHz-capable clock driving 12-bit PWM counter; rising edge increments grayscale counter |
| IREF (Pin 26) | Reference current setting | Connects external resistor to GND to set max sink current (IOLCMax = 40.5 × VIREF/RIREF) |
| SOUT (Pin 23) | Serial data output | MSB of selected shift register or Status Information Data (SID) including LOD/TEF flags after XLAT |
| XERR (Pin 22) | Error flag output | Open-drain output pulled low on LOD or TEF assertion; high-impedance when no error detected |
| VUP (Pin 25) | Pre-charge FET supply | Provides power to internal pre-charge circuit; supports up to 15 V to match LED string voltage |
| OUT0–OUT15 (Pins 4–21) | Constant-current sink outputs | 16 individually controlled outputs; each sinks up to 60 mA; can be paralleled for higher current |
| VCC (Pin 27) | Digital supply | 3.0–5.5 V logic supply for internal registers, interface, and control circuitry |
| GND (Pin 30) | Power ground | Common reference for VCC, IREF, and output current return path |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Integrated pre-charge FET | Eliminates ghosting in multiplexed LED displays by discharging LED node capacitance before current sinking begins |
| Continuous LED open detection | Detects open-circuit or GND-short LEDs during active display period with 0.3 V threshold and auto-output-off response |
| Hardware thermal management | Two-tier thermal monitoring: PTW (+120°C) warns without interrupting operation; TEF (+162°C) disables outputs and resets on cooldown |
| Daisy-chainable serial interface | Single SIN/SOUT path supports cascading multiple TLC5944RHBR devices for large LED arrays without additional GPIO |
| High-accuracy current regulation | ±1% channel-to-channel matching and ±3% device-to-device tolerance ensure consistent brightness across panels |
Applications
| Indoor LED Video Walls | Outdoor LED Signage |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: High-resolution indoor video walls using 1/8 or 1/16 scan-rate multiplexing with RGB SMD LEDs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Constant-current sink driver providing synchronized grayscale PWM and per-pixel dot correction for color uniformity. Use Value: Pre-charge FET prevents ghosting artifacts; 12-bit grayscale enables smooth motion rendering; LOD ensures pixel-level reliability. |
Use Scenario: Large-format outdoor advertising signs operating under wide ambient temperature (-40°C to +85°C). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: LED driver managing high-current segments with thermal-aware operation and fault reporting. Use Value: TEF/PTW flags enable predictive thermal derating; VUP up to 15 V supports long LED strings; ±1% current matching maintains brightness consistency. |
| Automotive Interior Displays | Industrial Control Panels |
|
Use Scenario: Dashboard backlighting and infotainment display modules requiring AEC-Q200-aligned reliability. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Precision current sink for white LED backlight dimming with ESD-hardened CMOS I/O. Use Value: 2 kV HBM ESD rating protects against assembly handling; BLANK-controlled fast dimming meets automotive PWM dimming requirements. |
Use Scenario: Factory HMIs with segmented LED indicators and status lights subject to vibration and thermal cycling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fault-tolerant LED driver with continuous open-circuit detection and latchable error reporting. Use Value: XERR output provides system-level fault signaling; daisy-chained architecture simplifies BOM for multi-segment panels. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar LED driver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLC5947RGER | 24-channel, same 12-bit GS/6-bit DC architecture; QFN-32 package; 30-MHz SCLK limit vs 30 MHz (same); no pre-charge FET | Lacks pre-charge FET → unsuitable for ghosting-sensitive multiplexed displays; better for static or low-scan applications | Select TLC5947RGER only when channel count >16 is required and ghosting mitigation is not critical |
| IS31FL3728-QFLS4-TR | 18-channel, 12-bit PWM; integrated 32×32 matrix controller; no dot correction; 1.7–5.5 V VDD; no VUP rail | No VUP or pre-charge FET; designed for low-voltage direct-drive; lacks LOD/TEF hardware flags | Choose IS31FL3728 for compact, low-Vf LED arrays where system-level fault handling replaces IC-level flags |
Compared with TLC5947RGER and IS31FL3728-QFLS4-TR, the TLC5944RHBR uniquely combines pre-charge FET, hardware LOD/TEF/PTW flags, and VUP up to 15 V - making it the only option among the three qualified for high-reliability, high-Vf, multiplexed LED signage demanding real-time fault visibility and ghosting elimination.
Availability
TLC5944RHBR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for indoor LED video walls, outdoor LED signage, automotive interior displays, and industrial control panels requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.
Supply support for TLC5944RHBR 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 high-reliability power management solutions with over 50 years of innovation in precision analog ICs.
The TLC5944RHBR belongs to TI's high-performance LED driver product line, engineered specifically for time-multiplexed LED display systems where brightness uniformity, thermal resilience, and real-time fault detection are mission-critical.
FAQ
What is the maximum LED string voltage supported by the TLC5944RHBR?
The TLC5944RHBR supports LED string voltages up to 15 V via its VUP pin, which powers the internal pre-charge FET and output stage. This allows direct drive of common RGB LED strings without external boost converters. The output voltage compliance range is –0.3 V to VUP + 0.3 V, enabling robust operation even with forward voltage variations across temperature and LED batches. The TLC5944RHBR maintains 60 mA sink capability across this full VUP range.
How does the TLC5944RHBR prevent ghosting in multiplexed LED displays?
The TLC5944RHBR prevents ghosting using an integrated pre-charge FET that actively discharges LED node capacitance during the BLANK low period, prior to PWM current sinking. This eliminates residual charge that causes unintended illumination in non-selected rows/columns. The pre-charge FET has 1–3 kΩ on-resistance and is controlled independently from the constant-current drivers, ensuring clean turn-on transitions. This function is hardware-automated and requires no firmware overhead - a core differentiator of the TLC5944RHBR.
Can the TLC5944RHBR detect LED faults while the display is active?
Yes, the TLC5944RHBR performs continuous LED Open Detection (LOD) during active display periods - not just during initialization. It monitors each OUTx node for voltage drop below 0.3 V (typical) while current is sinking; if detected, it asserts the XERR pin low and automatically disables the affected output. This real-time fault response prevents hot spots and ensures pixel-level reliability in mission-critical signage. LOD operates concurrently with grayscale PWM and dot correction updates.
What thermal protection features does the TLC5944RHBR provide?
The TLC5944RHBR implements two-tier thermal protection: Pre-Thermal Warning (PTW) triggers at +120°C junction temperature to signal impending thermal stress while maintaining output operation, and Thermal Error Flag (TEF) activates at +162°C to immediately disable all outputs and enter thermal shutdown. Both flags are reported on the open-drain XERR pin. Hysteresis (+10°C for both) ensures stable recovery. These functions are fully hardware-based and require no host intervention - a key safety feature in the TLC5944RHBR.
How is dot correction implemented in the TLC5944RHBR, and what is its design impact?
The TLC5944RHBR implements 6-bit dot correction (DC) as a per-channel current scaling factor applied multiplicatively to the 12-bit grayscale PWM value: IOUTn = IOLCMax × (DCn / 63). This allows precise compensation for LED binning variations and aging effects across all 16 channels. Dot correction data are loaded via the same serial interface as grayscale data, selected by DCSEL. Because DC is applied before PWM, it preserves grayscale linearity while enabling panel-level brightness uniformity - a critical capability in the TLC5944RHBR for commercial display manufacturing.
TLC5944RHBR Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- Linear
- Topology:
- Shift Register
- Internal Switch(s):
- Yes
- Number of Outputs:
- 16
- Voltage - Supply (Min):
- 3V
- Voltage - Supply (Max):
- 5.5V
- Voltage - Output:
- 3V ~ 15V
- Current - Output / Channel:
- 60mA
- Frequency:
- 30MHz
- Dimming:
- -
- Applications:
- Signage
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 32-VQFN (5x5)
TLC5944RHBR FAQ
1.How can I place an order for TLC5944RHBR through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for TLC5944RHBR 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 TLC5944RHBR reliable?
The price and inventory of TLC5944RHBR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for TLC5944RHBR is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for TLC5944RHBR?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for TLC5944RHBR transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for TLC5944RHBR?
TLC5944RHBR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your TLC5944RHBR 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 TLC5944RHBR?
For technical support, including TLC5944RHBR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your TLC5944RHBR requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that TLC5944RHBR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All TLC5944RHBR 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 TLC5944RHBR meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of TLC5944RHBR?
All TLC5944RHBR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with TLC5944RHBR, 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 TLC5944RHBR part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for TLC5944RHBR:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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