Dialog introduces the MR16 LED dimmer driver, compatible with traditional electronic transformers

     Dialog Semiconductor, a provider of highly integrated power management, AC/DC power conversion, solid-state lighting (SSL) and short-range wireless technologies, has announced its entry into the MR16 dimming solid-state lighting market with an innovative LED driver that addresses the compatibility of electronic transformers and dimmers in the highly competitive low-voltage lighting sector. The iW3662 optimizes SSL products and achieves compatibility with all types of transformers (electronic or inductive), using a numerical control technology currently under patent by Dialog. The output power for lighting applications can be as low as 4W.

     In the design process of low-voltage MR16 LED lights, the biggest challenge came from the transformer that depressurised the alternating current in the lamp holder, because it did not match today's LED lighting fixtures. The MR16 halogen reflection lamp requires a transformer to convert a standard voltage to 12VAC. Most low-voltage halogen reflection lighting systems use small, inexpensive transformers to accomplish this conversion. These transformers are suitable for resistive loads, usually requiring a minimum load of 20W. This is easy to achieve for a 50W halogen reflection lamp, but the corresponding LED MR16 lamp is only 8W, which is difficult to be compatible with the transformer, so low-wattage bulbs are difficult to replace traditional products.

     Using the currently pending patent technology, the iW3662 LED driver successfully solves the compatibility problem of the MR16 lamp transformer by detecting the existing transformer and dynamically adjusting the maximum load through advanced digital analysis means. Even in the case of deep dimming, it can ensure the efficient operation of LED lamps that users expect. The iW3662 also has the ability to automatically detect inductive step-down transformers and automatically switch loads accordingly, making it compatible with conventional transformers.

     The iW3662 MR16 SSL LED dimmer driver also uses digital control technology to be perfectly compatible with a wide range of dimmers (including front cut, back cut dimmers and digital dimmers) and can be matched with electronic or inductive transformers for brightness adjustment. Ability to gently, without shanshuo, turn down the brightness to 5%.

     Davin Lee, senior vice president and general manager of the Power Conversion Business Unit, said: "Dialog is a true leader in SSL lighting digital control technology, and our LED driver solutions are used in both small modified fixtures and commercial lighting drives. We have not participated in the low-voltage dimming MR16 lighting market before, and customers have been unable to solve transformer and dimmer compatibility problems with previous LED solutions. The iW3662 builds on our digital control expertise and new intellectual property for smart technologies to provide a novel solution to the problems in the low-voltage SSL lighting market."

     Sengled Lighting Co., LTD., one of the earliest adopters of iW3662, joined hands with Dialog to launch a new generation of MR16 lamps, witnessing a broad market prospect.

     Jinxiang Shen, founder and Chairman of Sengled Lighting, explains: "As a global leader in high-quality, energy-saving green lighting solutions, Sengled is committed to bringing the most innovative solid-state lighting products to market. The challenge with low-voltage dimming M16 products is compatibility with existing transformers and dimmers. Dialog's new iW3662 LED driver provides a simple, rational and cost-effective solution to these problems, allowing us to offer our customers the highest quality dimming MR16 LED lamps, enabling them to seamlessly upgrade from existing halogen lamps."

     Suitable for low-voltage AC or DC inputs, the iW3662 can be designed in a single or two-stage design. Therefore, the design process is simplified and the product development cycle is shortened, allowing designers to be used in the 8W range for many low-voltage LED lamps, but also for the driver development of high-voltage COB LED modules.

     iW3662 advanced CNC circuits can also help designers reduce BOM material costs. Allow the use of inexpensive, off-the-shelf inductors; In addition, the 1MHz high frequency switch design makes small, low-cost external component applications a reality.

     The iW3662 uses Dialog's patented Overheat Derating Protection technology (OTP) to address lamp life issues caused by overheating. The overheat derating protection technology monitors the temperature inside the sealed SSL bulb. When the temperature is too high and the safe operation is threatened, the brightness is automatically reduced by a small step, and the brightness is restored after the temperature drops. This reduces the operating temperature of the bulb and avoids exceeding the rated temperature of the electrolytic capacitor, thus contributing to the predictable life of the bulb.