This LED lighting example demonstrates the value of simulating both the electrical and thermal aspects of power dissipating circuits together, simultaneously.

In this application example, a Vishay NTCS0402 Thermistor provides feedback of the enclosure temperature. This feedback is used to control PWM dimming of the LEDs, thereby limiting the internal temperature when operating at high external ambient temperature conditions.

This is a "Live" design, the user can change key parameter values and then run new simulations to see the results. These parameters include "r_mirror", the resistance of the current mirror that controls the capacitor charging rate of the 555 timer, and thereby sets the PWM frequency*. The user can also change "r_offset" that controls the temperature level at which the dimming operation begins. Finally, the user can set "r_iLED_set", to control the ON-state operating current of the LEDs.

*Note: The PWM switching frequency was intentionally reduced from the practical value of 260 Hz (used in the companion design https://www.systemvision.com/design/led-driver-auto-dimming-thermal-protection), to 2.6 Hz, in order to provide fast simulations and realistic (long) thermal time constants. This was accomplished by increasing the 555 timer capacitor from 100 nF to 10 uF. This should have no significant impact on the thermal feedback or settling behavior that would be observed at the higher PWM frequencies needed to avoid visual "flicker" to the human eye (i.e. > 200 Hz).

This is an application example for an ON Semiconductor CAT4104 Quad Channel Constant Current LED Driver. It demonstrates the part's resistor programmable and independent current control for each channel, as well as its PWM dimming capability. By choosing the value of r_set from 768 Ohm up to 12 kOhm, the current in each channel is controlled from 175 mA down to 10 mA. That is, the channel current is 100 times the current in r_set, which is driven by an internal 1.2 V source from the CAT4104 "rset" pin. The LED strings can be driven by parallel channels to reach even higher string current levels.

For LED dimming, the CAT4104 "en_pwm" pin can be driven by a PWM signal. In this application circuit, that signal is provided by an LM555 timer module. The potentiometer setting controls the PWM duty cycle, and the element's total resistance value determines the PWM frequency. The initial potentiometer wiper ratio of 0.5 and resistance of 20 kOhm, gives a 50% PWM duty cycle at 500 Hz.

The LED string model, for which the user can select the number of LEDs in the string as well as the individual LED operating parameters, has an internal quantity that gives the "perceived" luminous output. This includes a 15 Hz Low-pass filter, to represent the light-averaging effect of the human eye. This is shown in the dark blue waveform. The user can explore the effect of changing the potentiometer settings, which in turn change the PWM characteristics, on the perceived light output. The initial LED parameters for this example represent a CREE XPCWHT-L1-R250-009E6.

This LED lighting example demonstrates the value of simulating both the electrical and thermal* aspects of power dissipating circuits together, simultaneously.

In this application example, a Vishay NTCS0603 Thermistor provides feedback of the enclosure temperature. This feedback is used to control PWM dimming of the LEDs, thereby limiting the internal temperature when operating at high external ambient temperature conditions.

This is a "Live" design, the user can change key parameter values and then run new simulations to see the results. These parameters include "r_mirror", the resistance of the current mirror that controls the capacitor charging rate of the 555 timer, and thereby set the PWM frequency. The user can also change "r_offset" that controls the temperature level at which the dimming operation begins. Finally, the user can set "r_iLED_set", to control the ON-state operating current of the LEDs.

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* To reduce the time needed to simulate the transition and settling at 6 different temperature levels, all thermal time constants were reduced by approximately 1000x. The actual thermal response time constant of the NTCS0603 is approximately 3 seconds (depends on mounting), not 3 msec! Also, the enclosure thermal capacitance value would more likely be 3 (J/degC) instead of 3 (mJ/degC), giving a thermal time constant for the enclosure of 10 (degC/Watt) * 3 (J/degC) = 30 seconds. This time scaling does not affect the static relationship between the outside temperature and PWM dimming.

This LED lighting example demonstrates the value of simulating both the electrical and thermal aspects of power dissipating circuits together, simultaneously.

In this application example, a Vishay NTCS0603E3103MT Thermistor provides feedback of the enclosure temperature. This feedback is used to control PWM dimming of the LEDs, thereby limiting the internal temperature when operating at high external ambient temperature conditions.

This is a "Live" design, the user can change key parameter values and then run new simulations to see the results. These parameters include "r_mirror", the resistance of the current mirror that controls the capacitor charging rate of the 555 timer, and thereby set the PWM frequency. The user can also change "r_offset" that controls the temperature level at which the dimming operation begins. Finally, the user can set "r_iLED_set", to control the ON-state operating current of the LEDs.

Circuit for All About Circuits Forum

http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/threads/20v-pwm-motor-control-suggestions.118470/

Wide range variable frequency with 50% duty cycle.

Duty cycle = (Ra + Rb)/ (Ra+2Rb)

Frequency = 1.44 /(Ra+2Rb)*C

C =100pF

75% duty cycle Ra = 2Rb

f = 1.44 /(4Rb)*C

Ra= 100KOhm

Rb = 50Kohm closes 47KOhm

Count the pulse of an astable 555 timer circuit using binary counter

This is an application example for an ON Semiconductor CAT4104 Quad Channel Constant Current LED Driver. It demonstrates the part's resistor programmable and independent current control for each channel, as well as its PWM dimming capability. By choosing the value of r_set from 768 Ohm up to 12 kOhm, the current in each channel is controlled from 175 mA down to 10 mA. That is, the channel current is 100 times the current in r_set, which is driven by an internal 1.2 V source from the CAT4104 "rset" pin. The LED strings can be driven by parallel channels to reach even higher string current levels.

For LED dimming, the CAT4104 "en_pwm" pin can be driven by a PWM signal. In this application circuit, that signal is provided by an LM555 timer module. The potentiometer setting controls the PWM duty cycle, and the element's total resistance value determines the PWM frequency. The initial potentiometer wiper ratio of 0.5 and resistance of 20 kOhm, gives a 50% PWM duty cycle at 500 Hz.

The LED string model, for which the user can select the number of LEDs in the string as well as the individual LED operating parameters, has an internal quantity that gives the "perceived" luminous output. This includes a 15 Hz Low-pass filter, to represent the light-averaging effect of the human eye. This is shown in the dark blue waveform. The user can explore the effect of changing the potentiometer settings, which in turn change the PWM characteristics, on the perceived light output. The initial LED parameters for this example represent a CREE XPCWHT-L1-R250-009E6.

Can generate square, decaying, sawtooth, and sine waves, depending on switch position.