1. Overview

Board mount LED drivers are electronic devices designed to regulate power supply to LED lighting systems. They convert input power (AC or DC) into controlled current/voltage outputs required for optimal LED performance. These drivers are critical for ensuring energy efficiency, dimming control, and longevity of LED systems in modern applications ranging from consumer electronics to industrial equipment.

2. Major Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
Constant Current (CC)	Maintains fixed output current regardless of voltage fluctuations	LED street lighting, architectural lighting
Constant Voltage (CV)	Stabilizes output voltage with variable current capacity	LED strips, backlighting systems
PWM Dimming	Uses pulse-width modulation for precise brightness control	Smart lighting, display backlighting
AC-DC Converters	Directly converts AC mains to DC output for LED loads	Residential smart bulbs, commercial lighting

3. Structure and Components

Typical board mount LED drivers consist of:

• Input rectification/filtering circuitry
• Power conversion stage (flyback, buck/boost converters)
• Control IC with feedback loop
• Output filtering capacitors
• Protection circuits (OVP, OCP, OTP)

Surface-mount technology (SMT) packages enable integration with PCB assemblies, featuring compact footprints (typically 10-50mm length).

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Importance	Typical Range
Output Current	Determines LED brightness and efficacy	10mA-2A
Voltage Regulation	Ensures stable operation under load variations	2-5%
Power Efficiency	Impacts energy consumption and thermal performance	80-95%
Dimming Range	Defines brightness control capability	0.1-100%
Operating Temperature	Affects reliability and lifespan	-40 C to +125 C

5. Application Areas

• General Lighting: Smart bulbs, downlights, tunnel lighting
• Consumer Electronics: TV backlighting, smartphone flash modules
• Automotive: Headlights, interior ambient lighting
• Industrial: Machine vision systems, emergency lighting
• Architectural: RGB color-changing installations

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
TI (Texas Instruments)	LM3445	PWM dimming, 1A output, thermal shutdown
STMicroelectronics	VLDS100	High-side current sensing, 100V
ON Semiconductor	CAT4101	3A constant current, PWM dimming up to 20kHz
Infineon	IRS2505L	High-frequency operation, integrated MOSFET

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations include:

• Match output specifications to LED array requirements
• Verify dimming compatibility (PWM/analog)
• Assess thermal management needs
• Evaluate protection features (IP rating, surge tolerance)
• Consider form factor constraints

Example: Selecting a 350mA constant current driver with 10V output for a 3W LED module in outdoor signage applications.

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments include:

• Integration with IoT-enabled smart lighting systems
• Advancements in GaN/SiC transistor technology for higher efficiency
• Miniaturization through 3D packaging
• Improved power factor correction (PFC>0.9)
• Adoption of wireless control interfaces (Bluetooth/Zigbee)

Market growth projected at 12.3% CAGR through 2027 driven by energy-saving mandates and automotive lighting demand.