Automotive Design Center

The LED Ambient Lighting Module controls an integrated RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LEDs that is used to enable ambient lighting features within the car. While the module is also used to control the intensity of the RGB LED module, the module can be used for cluster backlighting, Idiot/Tell Tale lights, and LCD panel backlighting.

PIC16 and PIC18 microcontrollers provide the system designer with an array of choices to support desired color resolution and LED drive methodology. The selected PIC microcontroller’s ability to support the desired color resolution is directly tied to the number of bits which is directly proportional to the number of color combination capable of being created with the RGB LEDs. The designer has the flexibility to chose either integrated DAC modules or hardware PWM modules of the PICmicrocontroller the drive the LEDs of the module.
The smaller packaging is critical to support the desired styling factor for various lighting components within the vehicle. The ability to enable small footprints without compromising functionality is addressed by various members of the PIC16 and PIC18 microcontroller families.
With on-chip peripherals to support LIN communication protocols, the system designer is able to choose the appropriate PICmicrocontroller and MCP202x LIN transceiver that matches the overall system requirements. Depending on the degree of flexibility desired, the system designer can acquire these solutions in either small discrete packages or combined die in a single package. The flexibility is a key factor supporting achieving an aesthetically appealing design implementation.
Since the LED Ambient Lighting module can be active when the ignition is off, the nanoWatt XLP microcontrollers from the PIC16 and PIC18 families provide excellent choices for the system designer since these microcontrollers have industry leading low quiescent current characteristics which enable them to conserve battery life.