Texas Instruments TLC6C598PWR

Overview

TLC6C598PWR from Texas Instruments is an 8-bit serial-in, parallel-out shift register LED driver with low-side open-drain DMOS outputs, designed for LED sink-current control in display and indicator systems. It delivers 50-mA continuous sink current per channel at 5 V, supports 40-V output voltage rating, and features thermal shutdown protection and enhanced cascading capability for multi-stage LED driving.

For engineers reviewing the TLC6C598PWR datasheet, TLC6C598PWR pinout, TLC6C598PWR application, or TLC6C598PWR equivalent, key selection criteria include its 16-pin TSSOP package, dual-clock architecture (SRCK + RCK), global output enable (G), register clear (CLR), and SER OUT–enabled daisy-chain topology for scalable LED matrix control.

Technical Context

The TLC6C598PWR integrates an 8-bit shift register feeding an independent 8-bit D-type storage register, with separate clocks (SRCK for serial load, RCK for latch-to-output transfer). Its low-side DMOS outputs support up to 40 V drain-source voltage and operate with 3 V to 5.5 V logic supply.

Thermal shutdown activates at ~175°C junction temperature, with hysteresis of ~15°C, and ESD protection reaches ±2000 V HBM. The device enables global PWM dimming via active-low G input and supports reliable cascade operation through phase-inverted SER OUT synchronized to SRCK falling edge.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 16-pin TSSOP (PW), body size 5.00 mm × 4.40 mm, 1.2 mm max height, RoHS-compliant NIPDAU finish, MSL Level-3 (260°C peak reflow).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TLC6C598PWR, TLC6C5912PWR scales channel count at the cost of pin compatibility, while TPIC6B595PW trades integrated thermal protection and EMI-optimized edges for raw current capability-making TLC6C598PWR optimal for thermally constrained, noise-sensitive, or safety-critical indicator applications.

Availability

TLC6C598PWR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for appliance display panels, elevator indicator systems, and PLC function indicators requiring stable component supply, long-term industrial lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for TLC6C598PWR 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 headquartered in Dallas, Texas, specializing in analog, embedded processing, and digital signal technologies for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The TLC6C598PWR belongs to TI's LED driver and power logic portfolio, engineered specifically for medium-voltage, low-current LED sink applications in industrial human-machine interfaces where reliability, thermal safety, and serial scalability are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous sink current per channel for the TLC6C598PWR?

The TLC6C598PWR supports 50-mA continuous sink current per channel when VCC = 5 V and ambient temperature is ≤105°C. This rating assumes proper PCB thermal design-TI recommends maximizing copper area and adding thermal vias under the TSSOP package to sustain full-load operation across the full temperature range. Exceeding this current continuously risks triggering thermal shutdown.

Can the TLC6C598PWR drive common-anode seven-segment displays directly?

No, the TLC6C598PWR cannot drive common-anode displays directly because it provides only low-side open-drain outputs. It sinks current from LED cathodes to ground. To use it with common-anode displays, external high-side switches (e.g., PNP transistors or PMOS FETs) are required per segment or digit-anode. For common-cathode displays, TLC6C598PWR connects directly to cathodes with current-limiting resistors to the anode supply.

How does the SER_OUT pin enable reliable cascading of multiple TLC6C598PWR devices?

The SER_OUT pin of the TLC6C598PWR is phase-inverted relative to SER_IN and triggered on the falling edge of SRCK. This ensures that data propagates to the next device after the current device has fully latched its serial input, eliminating race conditions that occur when cascading devices share the same SRCK rising edge. As a result, TLC6C598PWR supports stable daisy-chaining of dozens of devices without added timing margin or external logic.

Is thermal shutdown in the TLC6C598PWR automatically recoverable?

Yes, the TLC6C598PWR implements automatic thermal recovery: when junction temperature exceeds ~175°C, outputs disable and remain off until temperature falls below ~160°C (15°C hysteresis). No external reset or power cycle is needed. During recovery, the shift and storage registers retain their last valid state, so output behavior resumes immediately upon cooling-critical for unattended industrial displays.

What is the purpose of the separate SRCK and RCK clocks in the TLC6C598PWR?

SRCK controls serial data loading into the 8-bit shift register, while RCK controls parallel transfer from the shift register to the 8-bit storage register-and thus to the output buffers. This separation allows asynchronous operation: new LED patterns can be loaded via SRCK while the previous pattern remains displayed, preventing visual glitches during updates. It also enables precise timing control for multiplexed displays where pattern load and display update must be independently scheduled.