August 2010

Doc ID 17051 Rev 1

1/34

AN3151

Application note

Digital constant-current controller for

LED applications based on STM8S208X

Introduction

LEDs have been used for many years simply as status indicators but are now playing a

considerable role in a host of application fields, even with high power requirements, due to

improvements in lighting efficiency, longer lifetime, reliability, and costs. LED-based lighting

systems are increasingly used in display panels, emergency lighting, architectural lighting

and also backlighting.

The growth of such systems is mainly due to new manufacturing technologies and

innovations in this segment area, which probably represent the most important markets

within the lighting field.

The intent of this application note is to describe a new technique, based on a digital

approach, performing a real average current-control on an LED streetlighting platform.

A demonstration board, based on this approach, is orderable with the STEVAL-ILL031V1

code.

Further details are shown in STEVAL-ILL031V1 documentation.

The LED streetlight platform has been developed on a DC-DC converter based on an

“inverse buck” converter, creating advantages in terms of power switch control and

conditioning signal circuitry for the current sensing.

Moreover, performance, including cost performance, is also looked at.

This solution has been customized for a streetlighting application but can be extended to

many other fields.

The advantages offered are in terms of low energy consumption, low maintenance, and a

small and lightweight design.

The real aim of this application note is to describe the average current-control methodology

suitable for LED driving.

The effectiveness of the control with the inverse buck's advantages is described on a

dimmable platform, based on a multi-string system up to 120 W with independent current

control. Two different kinds of dimming have been implemented: analog, also called linear

dimming, and digital.

The control has been implemented on the STM8S208RB microcontroller, [1] which is the

best compromise in terms of cost and performance, validating an innovative current reading

methodology.

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