
Triac-dimmable LED driver delivers dimmer compatibility for 230/120VAC lamps
The device provides compatibility with leading‑ and trailing‑edge triac dimmers using a single-stage, high power-factor dimming circuit that complies with the NEMA SSL-6 dimming curve, delivering optimal line and load regulation. This integrated MOSFET eliminates the need for an auxiliary winding, which lowers BOM cost and enables a smaller PCB, making this an attractive and competitive solution for driving LED lamps up to 15 W.
The AL1697 is a high-precision, high-efficiency, buck-boost LED driver whose topology provides an accurate output current that enables line and load regulation. The design supports non-isolated (buck-boost) operation to address the isolation requirements for different lamps. Operating in boundary-conduction mode achieves higher conversion efficiency while also reducing switching noise and eases EMI design. The device features a low, 130 μA startup current and a low operating current of 170 μA.
The MOSFET options provide a drain-source, on-resistance specification of 4 Ω for operation up to 2 A at 600 V, or a super-junction RDS(ON) of 1.8 Ω that can support 4 A at 650 V. The AL1697 offers standard internal protection features, such as output short-circuit, over-temperature, under-voltage lockout, leading-edge blanking and cycle-by-cycle over-current protection. The device also features over-voltage/output-open and thermal foldback protection for enhanced safety and reliability.
In quantities up to 10k, unit pricing for the two MOSFET options of the AL1697 in the small outline SO-7 package is as follows:
AL1697-20CS7-13 (2A/600V) … $0.29
AL1697-40DS7-13 (4A/650V) … $0.36
