MAX6968:8-Port, 5.5V Constant-Current LED Driver

The MAX6968 serial-interfaced LED driver provides eight open-drain, constant-current sinking LED driver outputs rated at 5.5V. The MAX6968 operates from a 3V to 5.5V supply. The MAX6968 supply and the LEDs' supply or supplies may power up in any order. The constant-current outputs are programmed together to up to 55mA using a single external resistor. The MAX6968 operates with a 25Mb, industry-standard, 4-wire serial interface. The MAX6968 uses the industry-standard shift-register-plus-latch-type serial interface. The driver accepts data shifted into an 8-bit shift register using data input DIN and clock input CLK. Input data appears at the output DOUT eight clock cycles later to allow cascading of multiple MAX6968s. The latch-enable input LE loads the 8 bits of shift register data into an 8-bit output latch to set which LEDs are on and which are off. The output-enable input active-low OE gates all eight outputs on and off, and is fast enough to be used as a PWM input for LED intensity control. For applications requiring LED fault detection, refer to the MAX6977 data sheet that automatically detects open-circuit LEDs. For safety-related applications requiring a watchdog timer, refer to the MAX6978 data sheet that includes a fail-safe feature that blanks the display if the serial interface becomes inactive for more than 1s. The MAX6968 is one of a family of 12 shift-register-plus-latch-type LED drivers. The family includes 8-port and 16-port types, with 5.5V- or 36V-rated LED outputs, with and without open-circuit LED detection and watchdog. All versions operate from a 3V to 5.5V supply, and are specified over the -40°C to +125°C temperature range.

Key Features
  • 25Mb Industry-Standard 4-Wire Serial Interface at 5V
  • 3V to 5.5V Logic Supply
  • 8 Constant-Current LED Outputs Rated at 5.5V
  • Up to 55mA Continuous Current per Output
  • Output Current Programmed by Single Resistor
  • 3% Current Matching Between Outputs
  • 6% Current Matching Between ICs
  • -40°C to +125°C Temperature Range
MAX6968: Typical Application Circuit
MAX6968: Typical Application Circuit
Applications/Uses
  • Architectural Lighting
  • Gaming Features
  • Marquee Displays
  • Point-of-Order Signs
  • Traffic Signs
  • Variable Message Signs
DataSheet
titleDownload file
MAX6968 Data SheetMAX6968.pdf
Parametrics
Part NumberLCD or LEDDigits or Char.Output FormatDisplay TypeInterfaceSegment BlinkingVSUPPLY
(V)
VSUPPLY
(V)
Package/PinsBudgetary
Price
minmaxSee Notes
MAX6968LED8-SegmentAny digit typeCommon AnodeSerial 4-Wire 25MbitNo35.5PDIP(N)/16
SSOP/16
TSSOP-EP/16
$1.43 @1k
Quality and Environmental Data
Related Products
  • MAX6978:8-Port, 5.5V Constant-Current LED Driver with LED Fault Detection and Watchdog
  • MAX6977:8-Port, 5.5V Constant-Current LED Driver with LED Fault Detection
Ordering Information
Part NumberStatusRecommended ReplacementPackageTempRoHS
MAX6968AAENo Longer AvailableMAX6968AAE+SSOP,;16 pin;50 mm²-40°C to +125°CNo
MAX6968AAE+ActiveSSOP,;16 pin;50 mm²-40°C to +125°CLead Free
MAX6968AAE+TActiveSSOP,;16 pin;50 mm²-40°C to +125°CLead Free
MAX6968AAE-TNo Longer AvailableMAX6968AAE+TSSOP;16 pin-40°C to +125°CSee data sheet
MAX6968APENo Longer AvailableMAX6968APE+PDIP(N),;16 pin;158.4 mm²-40°C to +125°CNo
MAX6968APE+ActivePDIP(N),;16 pin;158.4 mm²-40°C to +125°CLead Free
MAX6968AUENo Longer AvailableMAX6968AUE+TSSOP-EP,;16 pin;33.2 mm²-40°C to +125°CNo
MAX6968AUE+ActiveTSSOP-EP,;16 pin;33.2 mm²-40°C to +125°CLead Free
MAX6968AUE+TActiveTSSOP-EP,;16 pin;33.2 mm²-40°C to +125°CLead Free
MAX6968AUE-TNo Longer AvailableMAX6968AUE+TTSSOP;16 pin-40°C to +125°CSee data sheet
MAX6968.pdf MAX6968
MAX6968_cn.pdf MAX6968
MAX6968.pdf MAX6968
MAX6968.pdf MAX6968
MAX6968.pdf MAX6968
MAX6968_cn.pdf MAX6968