ON Semiconductor LED Driver Solutions Add Intelligence to Connected Lighting

     ON Semiconductor, driving energy-efficient innovations, has introduced two new devices that enhance the performance of connected lighting systems, the NCL31000 and NCL31001 LED drivers, enabling manufacturers to develop LED luminaires with light-based positioning technology and visible light communication. Adding data intelligence and accurate positioning (up to 30 cm), these solutions will revolutionize lighting in numerous spaces including supermarkets, warehouses, hospitals and airports.

     The NCL31000 is part of ON Semiconductor's extensive family of LED drivers designed for lighting applications. At the heart of the device is a high-efficiency step-down LED driver that supports high-bandwidth analog dimming and PWM dimming down to zero current. The driver contains an integrated 3V3 fixed DC-DC converter and a further adjustable DC-DC (2.5 to 24V) that can be used to power system components such as sensing and microcontrollers. Integrating these power schemes into the drive greatly simplifies system design while improving energy efficiency.

     Accurate linear dimming enables visible light communication (VLC), enabling the development of light-based indoor positioning systems that can be safely used in many places where RF-based solutions cannot be used (such as hazardous spaces such as mines, or RF-sensitive areas such as hospitals or aircraft) implement. The NCL31000 is capable of true dimming with 0.1% accuracy, ensuring no ghost light at the lowest dimming settings. It also integrates a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for highly accurate diagnostics, further reducing system complexity. ADCs measure system voltage, current, and temperature to monitor LEDs and overall system energy efficiency, and detect any anomalies. A serial (I2C/SPI) interface makes all diagnostic data available to an external MCU to monitor and control smart lighting systems. The architecture of the NCL31000 ensures excellent Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) performance, showing in tests more than 14 dB below CISPR15/EN55015 requirements.

     ON Semiconductor also announced the NCL31001 as a companion driver for the NCL31000. The addition of the NCL31001 creates a solution that supports multi-string lighting applications, including those with color control. The NCL31001 offers the same features as the NCL31000, but does not include a DC-DC converter to avoid unnecessary duplication.

     Michel De Mey, vice president of ON Semiconductor's industrial division, said in announcing the new solution: "As LED luminaire manufacturers realize how these features can improve user convenience, while reducing operating expenses and energy consumption, the need for intelligent lighting Growing. The NCL31000 and NCL31001 support these features, along with market-leading energy efficiency and functionality, and will open up a variety of new business opportunities for smart lighting systems.”

     The new LED drivers are part of ON Semiconductor's comprehensive portfolio of connected lighting solutions, which also includes the Connected Lighting Platform, offering multiple connectivity options (Bluetooth Low Energy and Power over Ethernet (PoE)) for smart LED control.