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Tiny, Efficient High Power LED Camera Flash Solutions for

Cell Phone Applications Design Note 1009
Keith Szolusha

Introduction LEDs an attractive solution for the now popular 1 megapixel

Cell phones and PDAs are approaching the limit for small
form factors, but their feature sets are growing with new
functions such as built-in cameras and even video cameras.
The initial in-phone cameras were basic, low resolution de-
vices with little in the way of usable flash capability. How-
ever, cell phone camera resolutions have improved and
sophisticated flash technology is expected to keep pace.
There are two flash technologies used in digital still cam-
eras. The first uses a Xenon flash lamp to provide a very
short, high lumen flash with excellent spectral character-
istics. LTC offers Xenon photoflash solutions that are
simple, compact and efficient (see Design Note 345).
The second flash technology uses LEDs. LED solutions hold
the upper hand when simplicity and space is at a premium
and they are the only choice when torch or video-mode
lighting is required. LED flash units fit into spaces where
even the smallest Xenon photoflash cannot. Until recently,
LEDs could not compete with Xenon solutions in light
output and spectral performance, relegating them to the
realm of low resolution (sub 1 megapixel) cameras. How-
ever, recent (>10) performance improvements have made
and higher cell phone cameras.
Linear Technology offers many simple and extremely
compact solutions for driving the latest high-light-out-
put LEDs, including Lumileds Luxeon Flash LEDs. These
LEDs are up to 12 times brighter than conventional LEDs
(http:/www.lumileds.com/solutions/solution.cfm?id=9).
Constant Current LED Drivers
Switcher-based DC/DC converters are small and efficient,
so they are prime candidates for LED driver solutions. The
problem with a traditional switcher is that it is designed to
produce a regulated voltage for varying load currents. LEDs
must be driven with constant current to generate predict-
able light output. Using a typical switcher for constant
current involves adding an op amp and additional circuitry,
which are undesirable in space-constrained applications.
Four new devices solve this problem. The LTC3216 charge
pump, the LTC3453 buck-boost, and the LT1618 and
LT3479 boost regulators all incorporate the required cir-
cuitry to generate a constant current output while main-
taining high efficiency operation.
, LTC and LT are registered trademarks of Linear Technology Corporation.

4.7H
DO3314-472
3.3mm 3.3mm 1.4mm 2.2F 2.2F
VIN
2.7V to 4.2V
2.2F 4.7F
D1 C1+ C1 C2+ C2 D1: LUMILEDS LXCL-PWF1
VIN PVIN SW1 SW2 VOUT
2.9V TO 4.4V VIN CPO
ILED D1
VC LED1-4 2.2F 4.7F
0.1F LTC3216
EN1 (TORCH) EN1
D1: LUMILEDS LXCL-PWF1 ILED
EN2 (FLASH) EN2 LTC3453 EN1 (TORCH) EN1 ILED
EN1 EN2 ILED
ISET1 EN2 (FLASH) EN2
8.25k 0 0 0 (SHUTDOWN)
1% ISET2 1 0 150mA (TORCH) ISET1 ISET2 GND EN1 EN2 ILED
3.48k 0 1 350mA 0 0 0 (SHUTDOWN)
1% 1 1 500mA (FLASH) 19.1k 6.34k 1 0 200mA (TORCH)
GND
1% 1% 0 1 600mA
DN1009 F01
1 1 800mA (FLASH)
DN1009 F02

Figure 1. High Performance LED Flash Driver Yields Greater Figure 2. This LXCL-PWF1 Luxeon Flash Driver is
than 90% Efficiency. The LTC3453 Buck-Boost Delivers Extremely Small. It Requires Only an LTC3216 Low Noise
500mA to the LXCL-PWF1 LED Flash with Only Six Tiny High Efficiency Charge Pump in a Small DFN Package,
External Components Along with Four 0603 Capacitors and Two 0402 Resistors

10/04/1009
Buck-Boost for LXCL-PWF1 returning the LED from the output to the input, this boost
Although constant-current solutions do not directly regu- converter is given buck-boost capability with up to 500mA
late or monitor the output voltage of the LED driver circuit, LED flash current. The LT1618 solution provides effective
the level of the output voltage relative to the input voltage performance for cost sensitive applications.
is a key determinant of the type of part required. A buck LXCL-PWF2 Boost Driver
or boost regulator does not have the ability, when con-
To provide significantly more light output, the Lumileds
verted to constant-current, to properly regulate the LED
LXCL-PWF2 Luxeon Flash LED stacks two PWF1s in se-
current if the forward voltage of the LED is not respectively
ries on a single die. This effectively provides twice the light
below or above the input voltage. The wide input voltage
of the PWF1 at the same LED current, but doubles the for-
range of a lithium-ion battery requires that a converter be
ward voltage.
able to both step-up and step-down the voltage when the
forward voltage of the LED is within the range of the The higher forward voltage of the LXCL-PWF2 is always
batterys discharge profile in order to achieve steady state above the battery range, so a step-up (boost) solution is
regulation of the LED current. sufficient. The LT3479 can provide up to 700mA current
flash to the PWF2 (Figure 4). The LT1618 can flash 350mA
The LTC3453 buck-boost LED driver (Figure 1) does this
through the PWF2 when configured as a boost only. With
very efficiently with its four internal switches. This tiny
the ability to externally reduce the error amplifiers refer-
solution only requires one, small and low profile inductor
ence voltage, the LT3479 drives the LED current directly
(3.3mm 3.3mm 1.4mm) and provides 90% LED
through a sense resistor tied to the feedback pin without
efficiency. The even smaller LTC3216 charge-pump LED
compromising efficiency.
driver (Figure 2) takes a different approach to the same
problem. By operating in 1, 1.5 or 2 mode, it provides An output disconnect MOSFET is required to turn off the
constant current to the PWF1 LED with either a step-up or LED. Boost regulators inherently provide a direct path from
step-down in voltage. The external components are only the input to the output even when the low side switch is
four small ceramic capacitors and two smaller resistors. shutdown. Since LEDs emit light even with very small
The LTC3453 can provide up to 500mA LED flash current forward current, a complete disconnect in the path to
and the LTC3216 can provide 800mA LED flash current to ground is required. By placing the FET in series with the
the PWF1. LED, instead of between FB and GND, the LED current and
feedback voltage are not compromised, maintaining excel-
The LT1618 constant-current, constant-voltage converter
lent regulation.
(Figure 3) has a unique current sense amplifier with the
ability to sample current from the input or output. By
LUMILEDS
LXCL-PWF1 ILED 0.10 3H 10F LUMILEDS
1% PMEG2010EA 10V LXCL-PWF2
VIN CDRH5D28-3R0
3.3V TO 4.2V SW GND
SD25 10H PMEG2010EA 10nF ILED
2.2nF
L SS
LT3479 10k
VIN SW VS VC
EN1
SHDN ISP VIN
(TORCH) VIN FBN
4.7F 2.7V TO 4.2V
LT1618 866k 0.150
ISN 1% 10V RT FBP EN1 EN2 ILED
2.2F 1%
IADJ FB SHDN VREF 0 0 0 (SHUTDOWN)
1F 100k
GND VC 124k EN1 EN2 ILED GND 1.27k 10k 0 1 0 (SHUTDOWN)
15k 1% 1 0 700mA (FLASH)
1% 0 0 0 (SHUTDOWN) 1% 1%
EN2 0 1 0 (SHUTDOWN) 1 1 100mA (TORCH)
2.2M 0.1F
(FLASH) 1 0 250mA (TORCH) EN2
1 1 500mA (FLASH)
DN1009 F03
EN1 DN1009 F04

Figure 3. The LT1618 Constant-Current, Constant-Voltage

Boost Regulator can Be Configured to Give a Low Parts Figure 4. The LT3479 Boost Regulator Delivers 700mA
Count Buck-Boost Solution for LXCL-PWF1 Luxeon Flash Constant-Current to the LXCL-PWF2 High Voltage Luxeon
at 500mA Flash with 85% Efficiency and Output Disconnect

Data Sheet Download

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call (408) 432-1900, Ext. 2759

dn1009 LT 1004 PRINTED IN THE USA

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(408) 432-1900
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