The MAX20050–MAX20053 are high-brightness LED (HB LED) drivers for automotive exterior lighting applications. Consisting of a fully synchronous step-down converter with integrated MOSFETs, the devices are capable of driving a series string of LEDs at up to 2A, with a minimum number of external components. The MAX20050/ MAX20052 utilize internal loop compensation to minimize component count, while the MAX20051/MAX20053/MAX20053D use external compensation for full flexibility.The wide 4.5V to 65V input supply range supports extreme automotive cold crank and load-dump conditions. A low- and high-switching frequency option (400kHz or 2.1MHz) provides the designer with the flexibility to optimize for solution size or efficiency, while avoiding interference within the AM band. Spread spectrum provides further options for the designer to reduce EMI at the system level. The MAX20050/MAX20051 have an internal switching frequency of 400kHz, while the MAX20052/MAX20053 have an internal switching frequency of 2.1MHz. In addition, the MAX20051B has spread spectrum disabled.High-side current regulation means only a single connection to the LED string is required; grounding of the string can be done locally. In addition to PWM dimming, the ICs provide analog dimming using the REFI pin. Fullscale current regulation accuracy is ±2.5%, while the accuracy is ±8% at 10% of full-scale over the full temperature range of -40°C to +125°C. A 5V, 10mA LDO output is available for biasing other circuits.Fault-protection mechanisms include output overload, short-circuit, and device overtemperature protection. The devices are specified for operation over the full -40°C to +125°C temperature range and are available in thermally enhanced 12-pin (3mm x 3mm) TDFN, 14-pin (5mm x 4.4mm) TSSOP, and 24-pin TQFN (4mm x 4mm) packages with an exposed pad.Design Solution: Driver Monitoring Systems Need a New Breed of IR-LED Drivers ›ApplicationsClearance Lamps (CLLs)Commercial, Industrial, and Architectural LightingCorner Lamps (CLs)Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs)Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS)Fog LampsHead LampsRear Lamps