What are LED display drivers?

The typical activity of a device driver is to accept data and other commands through a serial or parallel interface. Signals can be generated with the ideal voltage, and demultiplexing shows the required image.

Now, LED display drivers control the voltage and the current supplied to the individual LEDs placed in the display. It can provide the required backlight and brightness. It can handle multiple LEDs together and are switch mode devices that can convert the input voltage to the limit at which the current can be drawn. 

Types of LED Display Drivers

Constant current LED drivers

These LED drivers have internal circuitry that can check the loop current for each LED. It can automatically adjust the output DC voltage generated to the lowest value needed to provide the greatest forward voltage.

Pulse width modulation LED drivers

These LED drivers can be programmed using an I2C-compatible interface. They are used in applications requiring pattern, colour, and intensity control.

RGB LED drivers

These LED drivers can control the colour of the RGB LEDs and the associated LED strips. The functions are operated using software through the SPI interface and internal registers.

White light LED drivers

White light LED drivers are ideal for controlling LED matrixes. They emit white light for backlighting and also offer very low noise.

7-segment LED display drivers

These use a combinational logic circuit that can accept a 4-bit BCD input and generate seven output signals for controlling seven individual display segments.

Importance of LED Display Drivers

These drivers can essentially control the current going into the LED. Without them, the LED could become very hot, and hence, unstable. Without using it, the system can fail.