Macroblock noted progress toward the use of FALD (Full Array Local Dimming) mini-LED technology for LCD display backlight.
More details from Macroblock (www.macroblock.com.tw):
(July 12, 2021) According to recent market dynamics, it can be predicted that FALD (Full Array Local Dimming) mini-LED will become a mainstream technology for LCD display backlight. While, Macroblock has aggressively deployed in this area two years ago, launching suitable solutions for different LCD display sizes, and working with our clients to bring better display performance to consumers. Below please find the description of backlight ICs and system structures for two kinds of the LCD display. One is small- to medium-size LCD displays and the other one is medium- to large-size LCD displays.
Small- to Medium-size LCD Displays
Suggested ICs: For small- to medium-size LCD displays (like laptops or tablets), Macroblock has released mini-LED backlight driver ICs: MBI6322 and MBI6334. MBI6322 is a highly integrated LED driver IC with a built-in switch (MOSFET); MBI6334 was designed specifically for narrow PCBs because of its long BGA package. MBI6322 and MBI6334 both meet the compact requirement of small- to medium-size LCD displays. Furthermore, MBI6322 and MBI6334 do not need to apply MCU to handle the dimming signal of the mini-LED backlight matrix. They can choose commercially available T-con ICs or bridge ICs directly, which allows them to maintain the design requirement of small- to medium-size LCD displays.
System Design: When small- to medium-size LCD displays apply FALD backlighting architecture, they use T-con ICs or bridge ICs to accept data from the frontend source. After the data pass through the IC, the signal is split into two paths. As the picture shown below, the blue path passes the timing control logic to the LCD driver IC, which controls the LCD panel, and the orange path sends the local dimming algorithm to the mini-LED backlight driver IC, which controls the mini-LED backlight matrix.
Medium- to Large-size LCD Display
l Suggested ICs: For medium- to large-size LCD displays (like TVs, PIDs or monitors), Macroblock has released mini-LED backlight driver ICs: MBI6353 and MBI6328. MBI6353 is a high-current design for multiple LEDs in parallel, and the high-voltage MBI6328 supports multiple LEDs in cascade. Considering design flexibility and function requirement, most of the medium- to large-size LCD displays will apply “MCU”. There are commercially available MCUs for MBI6328 and MBI6353, including Nuvoton’s M484.
System Design: When medium- to large-size LCD displays apply FALD backlighting architecture, they use MNT SoCs or TV SoCs to accept data from the frontend source. After the data pass through the IC, the signal is split into two paths. As the picture shown below, the blue path passes the timing control logic to the LCD driver IC, which controls the LCD panel, and the orange path sends the local dimming algorithm to “MCU” firstly, which then passes to the mini-LED backlight driver IC, which controls the mini-LED backlight matrix.
Macroblock is quite optimistic that FALD mini-LED will become the mainstream technology of LCD display backlight in the near future. The company will continue to devote to the R&D of the mini-LED backlight driver IC product line to provide competitive solutions to our clients and fulfill customers’ various application purposes. We look forward to bringing marvelous visual experience to the end-users.
