AL8841

40V 1A/1.5A STEP-DOWN LED DRIVER

Description Pin Assignments

The AL8841 is a hysteresis mode DC-DC step-down converter, (Top View)
designed for driving single or multiple series connected LEDs efficiently
from a voltage source higher than the LED voltage. The device can
operate from an input supply between 4.5V and 40V and provide an SW 1 5 VIN
externally adjustable output current up to 1A for TSOT25 and 1.5A for
MSOP-8EP package. Depending upon supply voltage and external GND 2
components, this converter can provide up to 60W of output power.

CTRL 3 4 SET
The AL8841 integrates the power switch and a high-side output current
sensing circuit, which uses an external resistor to set the nominal
TSOT25
average output current.

(Top View)
Dimming can be realized by applying an external control signal to the
CTRL pin. The CTRL pin will accept either a DC voltage signal or a
PWM signal. SET 1 8 VIN

The soft-start time can be adjusted by an external capacitor from the GND 2 7 NC
CTRL pin to Ground. Applying a voltage of 0.3V or lower to the CTRL EP
pin will shut down the power switch. GND 3 6 SW

CTRL 4 5 SW
The AL8841 is available in the thermally enhanced MSOP-8EP
package and the small footprint TSOT25 package.
MSOP-8EP

Features Applications
• Wide Input Voltage Range: 4.5V to 40V • LED retrofit for low voltage halogen
• Output Current up to 1A for TSOT25 and 1.5A for MSOP-8EP • Low voltage industrial lighting
• Internal 40V NDMOS Switch • Illuminated signs
• Typical 4% Output Current Accuracy • External driver with multiple channels
• Single Pin for On/Off and Brightness Control by DC Voltage or
PWM Signal
• Recommended Analog Dimming Range: 10% to 100%
• Soft-Start
• High Efficiency (Up to 97%)
• Max 100% Switching Duty Cycle, Allows Bypass Mode, VOUT
equals to VIN
• LED Short Protection
• Inherent Open-Circuit LED Protection
• Overtemperature Protection (OTP)
• Up to 1MHz Switching Frequency
• MSOP-8EP & TSOT25 Packages Available in Green Molding
Compound (No Br, Sb)
• Totally Lead-Free & Fully RoHS Compliant (Notes 1 & 2)
• Halogen and Antimony Free. “Green” Device (Note 3)
• An automotive-compliant part is available under separate
datasheet (AL8841Q)

Notes: 1. No purposely added lead. Fully EU Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS), 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) & 2015/863/EU (RoHS 3) compliant.
2. See https://www.diodes.com/quality/lead-free/ for more information about Diodes Incorporated’s definitions of Halogen- and Antimony-free, "Green" and
Lead-free.
3. Halogen- and Antimony-free "Green” products are defined as those which contain <900ppm bromine, <900ppm chlorine (<1500ppm total Br + Cl) and
<1000ppm antimony compounds.

AL8841 1 of 17 June 2024

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 AL8841

Typical Applications Circuit

VIN: 4.5-40V RSET

VIN SET
C1
CTRL
D1
AL8841

GND SW
L1

Pin Descriptions
Pin Number
Pin Name Function
TSOT25 MSOP-8EP
2 2, 3 GND Ground of IC
Set Nominal Output Current Pin. Connect resistor RSET from this pin to VIN to define
4 1 SET
nominal average output current.
— 7 NC No Connection
Multi-function On/Off and brightness control pin:
• Leave floating for normal operation.
• Drive to voltage below 0.3V to turn off output current.
• Drive with DC voltage (0.4V < CTRL < 2.5V) to adjust output current from 10% to
100% of IOUT_NOM.
3 4 CTRL
• Drive with an analog voltage > 2.6V output current will be 100% of IOUT_NOM.
• A PWM signal (Low level < 0.3V, High level > 2.6V, transition times less than 1µs)
allows the output current to be adjusted over a wide range up to 100%.
• Connect a capacitor from this pin to ground to increase soft-start time.
(Default soft-start time = 0.1ms. Additional soft-start time is approximately 1.5ms/1nF)
Input voltage (4.5V to 40V). Decouple to ground with 10μF or higher X7R ceramic capacitor
5 8 VIN
close to device.
Switch Pin. Connect inductor/freewheeling diode here, minimizing track length at this pin to
1 5, 6 SW
reduce EMI.
— EP EP Exposed pad/TAB connects to GND and thermal mass for enhanced thermal impedance.

AL8841 2 of 17 June 2024

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 AL8841

Functional Block Diagram

SET SW
4(1) 1(5,6)

VIN
5(8)
4.5V
VDD Current
Generator 4.5V_Drv Monitor

Comp
BG & Ref Hysteresis Logic &
Reference Control PWM
Driver

PWM/DC PWM OTP

CTRL Dimming
OTP
3(4)

2(2,3)
GND

Absolute Maximum Ratings (Note 4)

Symbol Parameter Rating Unit
VIN Input Voltage -0.3 to +42 V
VSW, VSET SW, SET Pin Voltage -0.3 to +42 V
VCTRL CTRL Pin Input Voltage -0.3 to +6 V
TJ Operating Junction Temperature -40 to +150 °C
TSTG Storage Temperature Range -65 to +150 °C
TLEAD Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10sec) +300 °C
Note: 4. Stresses greater than those listed under Absolute Maximum Ratings can cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and
functional operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated under Recommended Operating Conditions is not implied.
Exposure to Absolute Maximum Ratings for extended periods can affect device reliability. Besides, if the voltage on SET pin is higher than 5V, the device
will enter the test mode for parameter test. Therefore, the voltage on SET pin should be kept below 5V for normal operation.

ESD Ratings
Symbol Parameter Rating Unit
Human Body Model (HBM) 3000
VESD V
Charged Device Model (CDM) 1000

Thermal Information
Symbol Parameter Rating Unit
TSOT25 (Note 5) 147
θJA Junction-to-Ambient Thermal Resistance °C/W
MSOP-8EP (Note 6) 56
TSOT25 (Note 5) 27
θJC Junction-to-Case (Top) Thermal Resistance °C/W
MSOP-8EP (Note 6) 15
Notes: 5. Device mounted on 1" x 1" FR-4 MRP substrate PC board, 2oz cooper, with minimum recommended pad layout.
6. Device mounted on 2” x 2” FR-4 substrate PCB, 2oz copper, with minimum recommended pad layout.

AL8841 3 of 17 June 2024

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 AL8841

Recommended Operating Conditions

Symbol Parameter Min Max Unit
VIN Input Voltage 4.5 40 V
fSW Switching Frequency — 1 MHz
IOUT Continuous Output Current — 1.5 A
VCTRL Voltage Range for 10% to 100% DC Dimming Relative to GND 0.4 2.5 V
VCTRL_HIGH Voltage High for PWM Dimming Relative to GND 2.6 5 V
VCTRL_LOW Voltage Low for PWM Dimming Relative to GND 0 0.3 V
TA Operating Ambient Temperature -40 +105 °C

Electrical Characteristics (@VIN = 16V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise specified.)

Symbol Parameter Condition Min Typ Max Unit
SUPPLY VOLTAGE
VIN Input Voltage — 4.5 — 40 V
IQ Quiescent Current CTRL Pin Floating, VIN = 16V — 0.35 — mA
VUVLO Undervoltage Lockout VIN Rising — 3.9 — V
VUVLO_HYS UVLO Hysteresis — — 250 — mV
HYSTERESTIC CONTROL
Measured on SET Pin with
VSET Mean Current Sense Threshold Voltage 96 100 104 mV
Respect to VIN
VSET_HYS Sense Threshold Hysteresis — — ±13 — %
ISET SET Pin Input Current VSET = VIN -0.1V — 8 — µA
ENABLE AND DIMMING
VCTRL Voltage Range on CTRL Pin For Analog Dimming 0.4 — 2.5 V
— Analog Dimming Range — 10 — 100 %
DC Voltage on CTRL Pin for Analog
VCTRL_ON VCTRL Rising — 0.45 — V
Dimming On
DC Voltage on CTRL Pin for Analog
VCTRL_OFF VCTRL Falling — 0.40 — V
Dimming Off
SWITCHING OPERATION
RON SW Switch On Resistance @ISW = 100mA — 0.2 — Ω
ISW_LEAK SW Switch Leakage Current — — — 8 μA
tSS Soft-Start Time VIN = 16V, CCTRL = 1nF — 1.5 — ms
VIN = 16V, VO = 9.6V (3 LEDs)
fSW Operating Frequency — 250 — kHz
L = 47μH, ΔI = 0.25A (ILED = 1A)
Recommended Maximum Switch
fSW_MAX — — — 1 MHz
Frequency
Recommended Minimum Switch ON
tON_REC For 4% Accuracy — 500 — ns
Time
Internal Comparator Propagation Delay
tPD — — 100 — ns
(Note 7)
THERMAL SHUTDOWN
TOTP Overtemperature Protection — — +150 — °C
TOTP_HYS Temp Protection Hysteresis — — +30 — °C

Note: 7. Guaranteed by design.

AL8841 4 of 17 June 2024

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 AL8841

Typical Performance Characteristics (@TA = +25°C, VIN = 16V, unless otherwise specified.)

Quiescent Current vs. Input Voltage Quiescent Current vs. Temperature

440
440
420
420
400
400

Current (µA)
Quiecent Current(uA)
380
(A)

380
(µA)

360
Current

360
340
Current

340
320

Quiescent
320
Quiescent

300
Quiescent

300
280
280
260 VIN=16V
260
240
240
220
220
200
-50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
2004 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Input Voltage (V) TemperatureoC)
Temperature( (°C)

SET Threshold Voltage vs. Input Voltage SET Threshold Voltage vs. Temperature

120 120
115 115
110 110
Voltage (mV)
(mV)

Voltage(V)
(mV)

105 105
ThresholdVoltage

100 100
Voltage

95 95
threshold

90
ISENSEThreshold

90
Threshold

85
85
80 Isen_H 80
SETSET

75 Isen_mean Isen_H
SET

Isen_L 75
70 Isen_mean
70 Isen_L
65
65
60
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 60
Input Voltage (V) -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Temperature('C)
Temperature (°C)

PWM Dimming (VIN = 16V, 3 LEDs, 47μH, RSET = 0.3Ω) Analog Dimming (VIN = 16V, 3LEDs, 47μH, RSET = 0.3Ω)
LED Current vs. PWM Duty Cycle LED Current vs. CTRL Pin Voltage

340
360
320 330
300
L=47H,freq=680kHz 300
280
fPWM=100Hz
260 270
fPWM=200Hz
(mA)

240
Current(mA)

LED Current (mA)

fPWM=500Hz 240
220
fPWM=1kHz
200 210
LED Current

180
180
160
Output

140 150
120
120
100
80 90
60
60
40
20 30
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Duty
PWM Cycle
Duty (%)(%)
Cycle V Pin Voltage (V)
CTRL
SET Pin Voltage (V)

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 AL8841

Typical Performance Characteristics (continued) (@TA = +25°C, VIN = 16V, unless otherwise specified.)
Efficiency vs. Input Voltage Efficiency vs. Input Voltage
(RSET = 0.3Ω, L = 100μH) (RSET = 0.15Ω, L = 47μH)

100 100
98 98
96 96
94 94
92 92
90

Efficiency (%)
90
Efficiency (%)

88 88
86 86
84 VO=3.3V
84 VO=3.3V
VO=6.6V
82 VO=6.6V 82
VO=9.9V
VO=9.9V
80 80 VO=13.2V
VO=13.2V
78 VO=16.5V
78 VO=16.5V
VO=19.8V
VO=19.8V 76
76 VO=23.1V
VO=23.1V

74 VO=26.4V 74 VO=26.4V
VO=29.7V
72
VO=29.7V 72 VO=33V
VO=33V
704 70
6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Input Voltage (V) Input Voltage (V)

Efficiency vs. Input Voltage Efficiency vs. Input Voltage

(RSET = 0.1Ω, L = 33μH) (RSET = 0.067Ω, L = 47μH)

100 100
98 98
96 96
94 94
92 92
90
Efficiency (%)

90
Efficiency (%)

88 88
86 86
84 84
VO=3.3V
82 VO=6.6V 82
VO=9.9V VO=3.3V
80 80 VO=6.6V
VO=13.2V
VO=9.9V
78 VO=16.5V 78 VO=13.2V
VO=19.8V VO=16.5V
76 VO=23.1V 76 VO=19.8V
VO=23.1V
74 VO=26.4V 74 VO=26.4V
VO=29.7V
72 VO=33V 72 VO=29.7V
VO=33V
70 70
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Input Voltage (V) Input Voltage (V)

Efficiency vs. Input Voltage LED Current vs. Input Voltage

(RSET = 0.05Ω, L = 47μH) (RSET = 0.3Ω, L = 100μH)

100 350
Vo=3.3V
98 VO=3.3V
Vo=6.6V 348
Vo=9.9V VO=6.6V
96 Vo=13.2V 346 VO=9.9V
Vo=16.5V
VO=13.2V
94 Vo=19.8V 344 VO=16.5V
Vo=23.1V
92 Vo=26.4V 342 VO=19.8V
LED Current (mA)

Vo=29.7V VO=23.1V
90 Vo=33V 340
Efficiency(%)

VO=26.4V
VO=29.7V
88 338
VO=33V
86 336
84 334
82 332
80 330
78 328
76 326
74 324
72 322
704 320
6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
InputVin(V)
Voltage (V) Input Voltage (V)

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 AL8841

Typical Performance Characteristics (continued) (@TA = +25°C, VIN = 16V, unless otherwise specified.)
LED Current vs. Input Voltage LED Current vs. Input Voltage
(RSET = 0.15Ω, L = 47μH) (RSET = 0.1Ω, L = 33μH)

700 1030
VO=3.3V VO=3.3V
695 VO=6.6V 1025 VO=6.6V
VO=9.9V VO=9.9V
690 1020
VO=13.2V VO=13.2V
685 VO=16.5V 1015 VO=16.5V

LED Current (mA)

LED Current (mA)

VO=19.8V VO=19.8V
680 VO=23.1V 1010 VO=23.1V
VO=26.4V VO=26.4V
675 1005
VO=29.7V VO=29.7V
670 VO=33V 1000 VO=33V

665 995

660 990

655 985
980
650
975
645
970
640 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Input Voltage (V) Input Voltage (V)

LED Current vs. Input Voltage LED Current vs. Input Voltage
(RSET = 0.067Ω, L = 47μH) (RSET = 0.05Ω, L = 47μH)

1.56 2.10
VO=3.3V Vo=3.3V
2.09
1.55 VO=6.6V Vo=6.6V
VO=9.9V 2.08 Vo=9.9V
VO=13.2V Vo=13.2V
1.54 VO=16.5V 2.07 Vo=16.5V
LED Current (mA)

VO=19.8V Vo=19.8V
Io(A) (A)

VO=23.1V
2.06 Vo=23.1V
1.53 Vo=26.4V
VO=26.4V
LED Current

2.05 Vo=29.7V
VO=29.7V
Vo=33V
1.52 VO=33V 2.04
2.03
1.51
2.02
1.50 2.01
2.00
1.49
1.99
1.48 1.98
6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Input Voltage (V) InputVin(V)
Voltage (V)

Operating Frequency vs. Input Voltage Operating Frequency vs. Input Voltage
(RSET = 0.3Ω, L = 100μH) (RSET = 0.15Ω, L = 47μH)

800 850
750 VO=3.3V 800 VO=3.3V
700 VO=6.6V 750 VO=6.6V
VO=9.9V VO=9.9V
650 700
VO=13.2V VO=13.2V
600 VO=16.5V
650
VO=16.5V
Frequency (kHz)

Frequency (kHz)

550 VO=19.8V 600 VO=19.8V

500 VO=23.1V 550 VO=23.1V
VO=26.4V 500 VO=26.4V
450
VO=29.7V VO=29.7V
450
400 VO=33V VO=33V
400
350
350
300
300
250
250
200 200
150 150
100 100
50 50
0 0
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Input Voltage (V) Input Voltage (V)

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 AL8841

Typical Performance Characteristics (continued) (@TA = +25°C, VIN = 16V, unless otherwise specified.)

Operating Frequency vs. Input Voltage Operating Frequency vs. Input Voltage
(RSET = 0.1Ω, L = 33μH) (RSET = 0.067Ω, L = 47μH)

900 500
850 VO=3.3V
VO=3.3V
800 VO=6.6V 450
VO=6.6V
750 VO=9.9V
VO=9.9V
700 VO=13.2V 400 VO=13.2V
VO=16.5V
650 VO=16.5V
Frequency (kHz)

Frequency (kHz)
VO=19.8V 350
600 VO=23.1V
VO=19.8V
550 VO=23.1V
VO=26.4V 300 VO=26.4V
500 VO=29.7V
VO=29.7V
450 VO=33V 250 VO=33V
400
350 200
300
250 150
200
150 100
100
50
50
0 0
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Input Voltage (V)
Input Voltage (V)

Operating Frequency vs. Input Voltage LED Current vs. Output Voltage
(RSET = 0.05Ω, L = 47μH) (RSET = 0.3Ω, L = 100μH)

350 350
Vo=3.3V 348 VIN=10V
Vo=6.6V 346 VIN=12V
300
Vo=9.9V VIN=16V
Vo=13.2V 344 VIN=20V

250 Vo=16.5V 342 VIN=24V

LED Current (mA)

Vo=19.8V VIN=28V
(kHz)

340
VIN=32V
Vo=23.1V
fsw(kHz)

338 VIN=36V
200 Vo=26.4V
Frequency

Vo=29.7V 336 VIN=40V

Vo=33V 334
150
332
330
100 328
326
50 324
322
0 320
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33
Vin(V)
Input Voltage (V) Output Voltage (V)

LED Current vs. Output Voltage LED Current vs. Output Voltage
(RSET = 0.15Ω, L = 47μH) (RSET = 0.1Ω, L = 33μH)

700 1030
VIN=10V
695 VIN=10V 1025 VIN=12V
VIN=12V VIN=16V
690 1020 VIN=20V
VIN=16V
VIN=20V VIN=24V
685 1015
VIN=28V
LED Current (mA)

VIN=24V
LED Current (mA)

1010 VIN=32V
680 VIN=28V
VIN=36V
VIN=32V
675 1005 VIN=40V
VIN=36V
VIN=40V 1000
670
665 995

660 990

655 985

650 980

645 975

640 970
3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33
Output Voltage (V) Output Voltage (V)

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 AL8841

Typical Performance Characteristics (continued) (@TA = +25°C, VIN = 16V, unless otherwise specified.)

LED Current vs. Output Voltage LED Current vs. Output Voltage
(RSET = 0.067Ω, L = 47μH) (RSET = 0.05Ω, L = 47μH)

1.56 2.11
VIN=10V
VIN=10V
VIN=12V 2.10 VIN=12V
1.55 VIN=16V
VIN=16V
VIN=20V 2.09 VIN=20V
VIN=24V
VIN=24V
1.54 VIN=28V 2.08 VIN=28V
VIN=32V
LED Current (A)

LED Current (A)

VIN=32V
VIN=36V 2.07 VIN=36V
1.53 VIN=40V
VIN=40V
2.06
1.52 2.05
2.04
1.51
2.03
1.50 2.02
2.01
1.49
2.00
1.48 1.99
3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33
Output Voltage (V) Output Voltage (V)

Performance Characteristics (@VIN = 16V, 3 LEDs, RSET = 0.3Ω, L = 47μH, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise specified.)

Steady State Startup Delay Time

VIN
10V/div
IL
100mA/div VSW
10V/div
VCTRL
VSW 2V/div
5V/div IL
200mA/div

Time 1μs/div Time 20μs/div

PWM Dimming (100Hz, Duty = 50%) LED Open Protection

VCTRL VSW
2V/div 10V/div

VSW
IL
10V/div
200mA/div

IL VLED
200mA/div 5V/div

Time 5ms/div Time 1ms/div

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 AL8841

Application Information
AL8841 Operation

In normal operation, when normal input voltage is applied at +VIN, the AL8841 internal switch will turn on. Current starts to flow through sense
resistor RSET, inductor L1, and the LEDs. The current ramps up linearly, and the ramp-up rate is determined by the input voltage VIN, VOUT and the
inductor L1.

This rising current produces a voltage ramp across RSET. The internal circuit of the AL8841 senses the voltage across RSET and applies a proportional
voltage to the input of the internal comparator. When this voltage reaches an internally set upper threshold, the internal switch is turned off. The
inductor current continues to flow through RSET, L1, LEDs and diode D1, and back to the supply rail, but it decays, with the rate determined by the
forward voltage drop of LEDs and the diode D1.

This decaying current produces a falling voltage on RSET, which is sensed by the AL8841. A voltage proportional to the sense voltage across RSET
will be applied at the input of internal comparator. When this voltage falls to the internally set lower threshold, the internal switch is turned on again.
This switch-on-and-off cycle continues to provide the average LED current set by the sense resistor RSET.

LED Current Configuration

The nominal average output current in the LED(s) is determined by the value of the external current sense resistor (RSET) connected between VIN
and SET and is given by:

0.1
I OUT(NOM) =
R SET

The table below gives values of nominal average output current for several preferred values of current setting resistor (RSET) in the Typical
Applications Circuit shown on Page 2.

RSET (Ω) Nominal Average Output Current (mA)

0.067 1,500
0.1 1,000
0.15 667
0.3 333

The above values assume that the CTRL pin is floating and at a nominal reference voltage for internal comparator. It is possible to use different
values of RSET if the CTRL pin is driven by an external dimming signal.

Analog Dimming

Applying a DC voltage from 0.4V to 2.5V on the CTRL pin can adjust output current from 10% to 100% of IOUT_NOM, as shown in Figure 1. If the
CTRL pin is brought higher than 2.5V, the LED current will be clamped to 100% of IOUT_NOM while if the CTRL voltage falls below the threshold of
0.3V, the output switch will turn off.

PWM Dimming

LED current can be adjusted digitally, by applying a low frequency pulse-width-modulated (PWM) logic signal to the CTRL pin to turn the device on
and off. This will produce an average output current proportional to the duty cycle of the control signal. To achieve a high resolution, the PWM
frequency is recommended to be lower than 500Hz, however higher dimming frequencies can be used at the expense of dimming dynamic range
and accuracy. Typically, for a PWM frequency of 500Hz the accuracy is better than 1% for PWM ranging from 1% to 100%.

The accuracy of the low duty cycle dimming is affected by both the PWM frequency and the switching frequency of the AL8841. For best
accuracy/resolution, the switching frequency should be increased while the PWM frequency should be reduced.

The CTRL pin is designed to be driven by both 3.3V logic levels directly from a logic output with either an open-drain output or push-pull output
stage.

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 AL8841

Application Information (continued)

3200

RSET=0.033
2800
RSET=0.05
2400 RSET=0.067
Output Current (mA) RSET=0.1
2000
RSET=0.15
1600 RSET=0.3

1200

800

400

0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3.0
VCTRLVoltage (V)

Figure 1. Analog Dimming Curve

Soft-Start

The default soft-start time for AL8841 is only 0.1ms – this provides very fast turn-on of the output, improving PWM dimming accuracy.

Nevertheless, adding an external capacitor from the CTRL pin to Ground will provide a longer soft-start delay. This is achieved by increasing the
time for the CTRL voltage rising to the turn-on threshold, and by slowing down the rising rate of the control voltage at the input of hysteresis
comparator. The additional soft-start time is related to the capacitance between CTRL and GND, the typical value will be 1.5ms/nF.

Capacitor Selection

A low ESR capacitor should be used for input decoupling, as the ESR of this capacitor appears in series with the supply source impedance and will
lower overall efficiency. This capacitor has to supply the relatively high peak current to the coil and smooth the ripple on the input current.

The minimum capacitance needed is determined by input power, cable’s length and peak current. 4.7μF to 10μF is a commonly used value for most
cases. A higher value will improve performance at lower input voltages, especially when the source impedance is high. The input capacitor should
be placed as close as possible to the IC.

For maximum stability of overtemperature and voltage, capacitors with X7R, X5R or better dielectric are recommended. Capacitors with Y5V
dielectric are not suitable for decoupling in this application and should NOT be used.

Diode Selection

For maximum efficiency and performance, the freewheeling diode (D1) should be a fast low capacitance Schottky diode with low reverse leakage
current. It also provides better efficiency than silicon diodes, due to lower forward voltage and reduced recovery time.

It is important to select parts with a peak current rating above the peak coil current, and a continuous current rating higher than the maximum output
load current. It is very important to consider the reverse leakage current of the diode when operating above +85°C. Excess leakage current will
increase power dissipation.

The higher forward voltage and overshoot due to reverse recovery time in silicon diodes will increase the peak voltage on the SW output. If a silicon
diode is used, more care should be taken to ensure that the total voltage appearing on the SW pin including supply ripple, will not exceed the
specified maximum value.

AL8841 11 of 17 June 2024

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 AL8841

Application Information (continued)

Inductor Selection

Recommended inductor values for the AL8841 are in the range 33μH to 100μH. Higher inductance are recommended at higher supply voltages in
order to minimize output current tolerance due to switching delays, which will result in increased ripple and lower efficiency. Higher inductance also
results in a better line regulation. The inductor should be mounted as close to the device as possible with low resistance connections to SW pins.

The chosen coil should have saturation current higher than the peak output current and a continuous current rating above the required mean output
current.

The inductor value should be chosen to maintain operating duty cycle and switch ‘on’/‘off’ times within the specified limits over the supply voltage
and load current range. The following equations can be used as a guide.

SW Switch ‘On’ Time

𝑳∆𝑰
𝒕𝑶𝑵 =
𝑽𝑰𝑵 − 𝑽𝑳𝑬𝑫 − 𝑰𝑳𝑬𝑫 (𝑹𝑺𝑬𝑻 + 𝑹𝑳 + 𝑹𝐒𝐖 )

SW Switch ‘Off’ Time

𝑳∆𝑰
𝒕𝑶𝑭𝑭 =
𝑽𝑳𝑬𝑫 + 𝑽𝑫 + 𝑰𝑳𝑬𝑫 (𝑹𝑺𝑬𝑻 + 𝑹𝑳 )

Where: L is the coil inductance; RL is the coil resistance; RSET is the current sense resistance; ILED is the required LED current; ΔI is the coil peak-
peak ripple current (internally set to 0.26 × ILED); VIN is the supply voltage; VLED is the total LED forward voltage; RSW is the switch resistance (0.2Ω
nominal); VD is the diode forward voltage at the required load current.

Thermal Protection

The AL8841 includes Overtemperature Protection (OTP) circuitry that will turn off the device if its junction temperature gets too high. This is to protect
the device from excessive heat damage. The OTP circuitry includes thermal hysteresis that will cause the device to restart normal operation once
its junction temperature has cooled down by approximately +30°C.

Open Circuit LEDs

The AL8841 has by default open LED protection. If the LEDs should become open circuit the AL8841 will stop oscillating; the SET pin will rise to VIN
and the SW pin will then fall to GND. No excessive voltages will be seen by the AL8841.

LED Chain Shorted Together

If the LED chain should become shorted together (the anode of the top LED becomes shorted to the cathode of the bottom LED) the AL8841 will
continue to switch and the current through the AL8841’s internal switch will still be at the expected current - so no excessive heat will be generated
within the AL8841. However, the duty cycle at which it operates will change dramatically and the switching frequency will most likely decrease. See
Figure 2 for an example of this behavior at 24V input voltage driving 3 LEDs.

The on-time of the internal power MOSFET switch is significantly reduced because almost all of the input voltage is now developed across the
inductor. The off-time is significantly increased because the reverse voltage across the inductor is now just the Schottky diode voltage (See Figure
2) causing a much slower decay in inductor current.

AL8841 12 of 17 June 2024

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 AL8841

Application Information (continued)

ILED
200mA/div

VSW
20V/div

VLED- VIN = 24V, TA = +25°C

10V/div L = 68µH, 3LEDs
ILED = 500mA
20µs/div

Figure 2. Switching Characteristics (Normal Operation to LED Chain Shorted Out)

Design Tools (https://www.diodes.com/design/tools/)

• AL8841 EV1 Evaluation Board User Guide
• AL8841 Spice Model (PSPICE Digital Simulation)
• AL8841 Design Calculator

AL8841 13 of 17 June 2024

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 AL8841

Ordering Information

AL8841 X–X

Product Name Package Packing

MP: MSOP-8EP 13: Tape and Reel
WT: TSOT25 7: Tape and Reel

Packing
Part Number Part Number Suffix Identification Code Package
Qty. Carrier
AL8841MP-13 -13 AL8841 MSOP-8EP 2500 Tape & Reel
AL8841WT-7 -7 B2 TSOT25 3000 Tape & Reel

Marking Information

(1) MSOP-8EP
(Top View)

8 7 6 5
MSOP-8EP
Logo YWXE Y : Year : 0 to 9 (ex: 4 = 2024)
W : Week : A to Z : week 1 to 26;
Identification Code AL8841 a to z : week 27 to 52; z represents
week 52 and 53
X : Internal Code
1 2 3 4

Part Number Package Identification Code

AL8841MP-13 MSOP-8EP AL8841

(2) TSOT25
(Top View)
5 4
7

XX : Identification Code
Y : Year 0 to 9 (ex: 4 = 2024)
XX Y W X W : Week : A to Z : week 1 to 26;
a to z : week 27 to 52; z represents
week 52 and 53
X : Internal Code
1 2 3

Part Number Package Identification Code

AL8841WT-7 TSOT25 B2

AL8841 14 of 17 June 2024

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 AL8841

Package Outline Dimensions

Please see http://www.diodes.com/package-outlines.html for the latest version.

MSOP-8EP

D
MSOP-8EP
Dim Min Max Typ
A - 1.10 -
A1 0.05 0.15 0.10
D1 4X A2 0.75 0.95 0.86
10
°
A3 0.29 0.49 0.39

0.25
x
E E2
b 0.22 0.38 0.30
Gauge Plane c 0.08 0.23 0.15
Seating Plane D 2.90 3.10 3.00
y
D1 1.60 2.00 1.80

a
E 4.70 5.10 4.90
4X
10° L
E1 2.90 3.10 3.00
1 E2 1.30 1.70 1.50
e 8Xb
E3 Detail C E3 2.85 3.05 2.95
A1 e - - 0.65
A3
c L 0.40 0.80 0.60
A A2 a 0° 8° 4°
x - - 0.750
D E1 y - - 0.750
All Dimensions in mm
See Detail C

TSOT25

D TSOT25
e1 01(4x) Dim Min Max Typ
A - 1.00 -
E1/2 A1 0.01 0.10 -
A2 0.84 0.90 -
E/2
b 0.30 0.45 -
c 0.12 0.20 -
E1 E c
D - - 2.90
Gauge Plane
E - - 2.80
0 E1 - - 1.60
Seating Plane
e 0.95 BSC
L
L2 e1 1.90 BSC
L 0.30 0.50
e b 01(4x) L2 0.25 BSC
A2 θ 0° 8° 4°
θ1 4° 12° -
A1 All Dimensions in mm
A
Seating Plane

AL8841 15 of 17 June 2024

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 AL8841

Suggested Pad Layout

Please see http://www.diodes.com/package-outlines.html for the latest version.

MSOP-8EP

X C

G Y Value
Dimensions
(in mm)
C 0.650
G 0.450
X 0.450
Y2 Y1 X1 2.000
X1 Y 1.350
Y1 1.700
Y2 5.300

TSOT25

Dimensions Value (in mm)

C 0.950
Y1 X 0.700
Y 1.000
Y1 3.199
Y

Mechanical Data
• Moisture Sensitivity: Level 1 per JESD22-A113
• Terminals: Matte Tin Plated Leads, Solderable per M2003 JESD22-B102
• Weight:
▪ MSOP-8EP: 0.02756 grams (Approximate)
▪ TSOT25: 0.01365 grams (Approximate)

AL8841 16 of 17 June 2024

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 AL8841

IMPORTANT NOTICE

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REGARDS TO ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
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Diodes’ products may be used to facilitate safety-related applications; however, in all instances customers and users are responsible for (a) selecting
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© 2024 Diodes Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

www.diodes.com

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Mouser Electronics

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