Skip to main content

We use cookies to understand how you use our site and improve your experience. See our Privacy Policy.

TLC5940

16-Channel LED Driver

The TLC5940 is a 16-channel led driver from Texas Instruments. View the full TLC5940 datasheet below including key specifications, electrical characteristics, absolute maximum ratings.

Official TLC5940 datasheet (PDF) — the source this page was extracted from.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments

Category

LEDs

TLC5940 Key Specifications

ParameterValue
Channels16
ESD (HBM)±2000 V
InterfaceSerial data interface, CMOS level I/O
Error DetectionLED open detection (LOD), thermal error flag (TEF)
Data Transfer Rate30 MHz
EEPROM Write Cycles50
Storage Temperature-55 °C to 150 °C
Supply Voltage (VCC)3 V to 5.5 V
Grayscale PWM Resolution12 bit (4096 steps)
Dot Correction Resolution6 bit (64 steps)
LED Supply / Output Voltageup to 17 V
Absolute Max Output Current (Dc)130 mA
Constant Output Current (VCC < 3.6 V)0 mA to 60 mA
Constant Output Current (VCC > 3.6 V)0 mA to 120 mA

TLC5940 Overview

Part: TLC5940 — Texas Instruments

Type: 16-Channel Constant-Current Sink LED Driver

Description: 16-channel LED driver with 12-bit (4096-step) grayscale PWM, 6-bit (64-step) EEPROM-storable dot correction, up to 120 mA per channel (VCC > 3.6 V), 3–5.5 V supply and 17 V LED supply capability.

Operating Conditions:

  • Supply voltage (VCC): 3–5.5 V
  • Operating temperature: -40 to 85 °C
  • Output voltage (OUT0–OUT15): up to 17 V
  • Constant output current: up to 60 mA (VCC < 3.6 V) or 120 mA (VCC > 3.6 V)
  • SCLK and GSCLK frequency: up to 30 MHz

Absolute Maximum Ratings:

  • Max supply voltage (VCC): 6 V
  • Output voltage (OUT0–OUT15): 18 V
  • Output current (dc): 130 mA
  • EEPROM program voltage (VPRG): 24 V
  • EEPROM write cycles: 50
  • Storage temperature: -55 to 150 °C

Key Specs:

  • Constant sink current: 61 mA typ (54–69 mA), all outputs ON, VO = 1 V, R(IREF) = 640 Ω
  • Channel-to-channel current error: ±1% typ, ±4% max (R(IREF) = 640 Ω, VO = 1 V)
  • Device-to-device current error: ±4% max (R(IREF) = 1920 Ω or 480 Ω)
  • Line regulation: ±1 %/V typ, ±4 %/V max (R(IREF) = 640 Ω)
  • Load regulation: ±2 %/V typ, ±6 %/V max (VO = 1–3 V, R(IREF) = 640 Ω)
  • Supply current: 0.9 mA typ, 6 mA max (outputs OFF, R(IREF) = 10 kΩ); 30 mA typ, 60 mA max (30 MHz data transfer, outputs ON, R(IREF) = 640 Ω)
  • Reference voltage V(IREF): 1.24 V typ (1.20–1.28 V) at R(IREF) = 640 Ω
  • Thermal error flag threshold: 150–170 °C junction temperature
  • LED open detection threshold: 0.3 V typ, 0.4 V max
  • Output leakage: 0.1 μA max (outputs OFF, VO = 15 V)

Features:

  • 16 channels with 12-bit grayscale PWM control
  • 6-bit dot correction, storable in integrated EEPROM
  • Maximum current of all channels set by a single external resistor
  • Controlled in-rush current
  • 30 MHz serial data interface with CMOS-level I/O
  • LED open detection (LOD) and thermal error flag (TEF), reported on open-drain XERR output

Applications:

  • Monocolor, multicolor and full-color LED displays
  • LED signboards
  • Display backlighting
  • General high-current LED drive

Package:

  • PDIP (28): 35.69 mm × 6.73 mm
  • HTSSOP (28) (PWP): 9.70 mm × 4.40 mm
  • VQFN (32) (RHB): 5.00 mm × 5.00 mm

TLC5940 Applications

  • Monocolor, Multicolor, Full-Color LED Displays
  • LED Signboards
  • Display Backlighting
  • General, High-Current LED Drive

The TLC5940 is a 16-channel, constant-current sink LED driver. Each channel has an individually adjustable 4096-step grayscale PWM brightness control and a 64-step, constant-current sink (dot correction). The dot correction adjusts the brightness variations between LED channels and other LED drivers. The dot correction data is stored in an integrated EEPROM. Both grayscale control and dot correction are accessible through a serial interface. A single external resistor sets the maximum current value of all 16 channels.

The TLC5940 features two error information circuits. The LED open detection (LOD) indicates a broken or disconnected LED at an output terminal. The thermal error flag (TEF) indicates an overtemperature condition.

TLC5940 Pin Configuration

NC - No internal connection

TLC5940 Electrical Characteristics

VCC = 3 V to 5.5 V, TA = -40°C to 85°C (unless otherwise noted)

PARAMETERTEST CONDITIONSMINTYPMAXUNIT
V OHHigh-level output voltageI OH = -1 mA, SOUTV CC -0.5V
V OLLow-level output voltageI OL = 1 mA, SOUT
V I = V CC or GND; BLANK, DCPRG, GSCLK, SCLK, SIN, XLAT
-10.5
1
V
I IInput currentV I = GND; VPRG
V I = V CC ; VPRG
-11
50
μ A
V I = 22 V; VPRG; DCPRG = V CC
No data transfer, all output OFF, V O = 1 V, R (IREF) = 10 k Ω
No data transfer, all output OFF, V O = 1 V, R (IREF) = 1.3 k Ω
4
0.9
5.2
10
6
12
mA
I CCSupply currentData transfer 30MHz, all output ON, V O = 1 V, R (IREF) = 1.3 k Ω
Data transfer 30MHz, all output ON, V O = 1 V, R (IREF) = 640 Ω
16
30
25
60
mA
I O(LC)Constant sink current (see Figure 10)All output ON, V O = 1 V, R (IREF) = 640 Ω546169mA
I lkgLeakage output currentAll output OFF, V O = 15 V, R (IREF) = 640 Ω , OUT0 to OUT15
All output ON, V O = 1 V, R (IREF) = 640 Ω , OUT0 to OUT15, -20°C to 85°C
±1%0.1
±4%
μ A
Constant sink current errorAll output ON, V O = 1V, R (IREF) = 640 Ω , OUT0 to OUT15 (1)±1%±8%
Δ I O(LC0)(see Figure 10)All output ON, V O = 1V, R (IREF) = 320 Ω , OUT0 to OUT15, -20°C to 85°C
All output ON, V O = 1V, R (IREF) = 320 Ω , V CC = 4.5 V to 5.5 V, OUT0 to OUT15 (1)
±1%
±1%
±6%
±8%
Δ I O(LC1)Constant sink current error (see Figure 10)Device to device, Averaged current from OUT0 to OUT15, R (IREF) = 1920 Ω (20 mA) (2)-2% +0.4%±4%
Δ I O(LC2)Constant sink current error (see Figure 10)Device to device, Averaged current from OUT0 to OUT15, R (IREF) = 480 Ω (80 mA) (2)-2.7% +2%±4%
All output ON, V O = 1V, R (IREF) = 640 Ω OUT0 to OUT15, V CC = 3 V to 5.5 V (3)±1±4%/V
Δ I O(LC3)Line regulation (see Figure 10)All output ON, V O = 1V, R (IREF) = 320 Ω , OUT0 to OUT15, V CC = 3 V to 5.5 V (3)±1±6%/V
Δ I O(LC4)Load regulation (see Figure 10)All output ON, V O = 1 V to 3 V, R (IREF) = 640 Ω , OUT0 to OUT15 (4)±2±6%/V
All output ON, V O = 1 V to 3 V, R (IREF) = 320 Ω , OUT0 to OUT15 (4)±2±8%/V
T (TEF)Thermal error flag thresholdJunction temperature (5)150170°C
V (LED)LED open detection threshold0.30.4V
V (IREF)Reference voltage outputR (IREF) = 640 Ω1.201.241.28V

TLC5940 Absolute Maximum Ratings

over operating free-air temperature range (unless otherwise noted) (1)

MINMAXUNIT
Input voltage (2)VCC-0.36V
Input voltage (2)V (BLANK) , V (DCPRG) , V (SCLK) , V (XLAT) , V (SIN) , V (GSCLK) , V (IREF)-0.3V CC +0.3V
Output voltageV (SOUT) , V (XERR)-0.3V CC +0.3V
Output voltageV (OUT0) to V (OUT15)-0.318V
Output current (dc)130mA
EEPROM program rangeV (VPRG)-0.324V
EEPROM write cycles50-
Storage temperature, T stg-55150°C
MINNOMMAXUNIT
DC CHARACTERISTICSDC CHARACTERISTICSDC CHARACTERISTICS
V CCSupply VoltageSupply Voltage35.5V
V OVoltage applied to output (OUT0-OUT15)Voltage applied to output (OUT0-OUT15)17V
V IHHigh-level input voltageHigh-level input voltage0.8 V CCV CCV
V ILLow-level input voltageLow-level input voltageGND0.2 V CCV
I OHHigh-level output currentV CC = 5 V at SOUT-1mA
I OLLow-level output currentV CC = 5 V at SOUT, XERR1mA
I OLCConstant output currentOUT0 to OUT15, V CC < 3.6 V
OUT0 to OUT15, V CC > 3.6 V
60
120
mA
mA
V (VPRG)EEPROM program voltageEEPROM program voltage202223V
T AOperating free-air temperature rangeOperating free-air temperature range-4085°C
AC CHARACTERISTICS V CC = 3 V to 5.5 V, T A = -40°C to 85°C (unless otherwise noted)AC CHARACTERISTICS V CC = 3 V to 5.5 V, T A = -40°C to 85°C (unless otherwise noted)AC CHARACTERISTICS V CC = 3 V to 5.5 V, T A = -40°C to 85°C (unless otherwise noted)
f (SCLK)Data shift clock frequencySCLK30MHz
f (GSCLK)Grayscale clock frequencyGSCLK30MHz
t wh0 /t wl0SCLK pulse durationSCLK = H/L (see Figure 11)16ns
t wh1 /t wl1GSCLK pulse durationGSCLK = H/L (see Figure 11)16ns
t wh2XLAT pulse durationXLAT = H (see Figure 11)20ns
t wh3BLANK pulse durationBLANK = H (see Figure 11)20ns

TLC5940 Thermal Information

THERMAL METRIC(1)TLC5940 - PWP (HTSSOP) - 28 PINSTLC5940 - RHB (VQFN) - 32 PINSUNIT
R θ JAJunction-to-ambient thermal resistance36.734.3°C/W
R θ JC(top)Junction-to-case (top) thermal resistance18.936.8°C/W
R θ JBJunction-to-board thermal resistance15.98.5°C/W
ψ JTJunction-to-top characterization parameter0.60.3°C/W
ψ JBJunction-to-board characterization parameter15.88.7°C/W
R θ JC(bot)Junction-to-case (bottom) thermal resistance2.31.6°C/W

TLC5940 Typical Application

The device is a 16-channel, constant sink current, LED driver. This device can be connected in series to drive many LED lamps with only a few controller ports. Output current control data, dot correction data and PWM control data can be written from the SIN input terminal.

More part numbers on this datasheet

Their pages show this same datasheet. Some are linked through their part family rather than checked part by part, so confirm the exact part in the ordering information.

Other LEDs

  • LTST-C19HE1WT – LITEON, Full Color SMD Chip LED
  • 19-213/Y2C-CQ2R2L/3T – Everlight, Chip LED
  • AP3216 – Kingbright, SMD Chip LED Lamp
  • APT2012SGC – Kingbright, SMD Chip LED Lamp
  • BQ25895RTWRG4 – Texas Instruments, I2C Controlled Single Cell 5-A Fast Charger with MaxChargeTM for High Input Voltage and Adjustable Voltage 3.1-A Boost Operation
  • BQ25895RTWT.A – Texas Instruments, I2C Controlled Single Cell 5-A Fast Charger with MaxChargeTM for High Input Voltage and Adjustable Voltage 3.1-A Boost Operation
  • CH572 – WCH, RISC-V MCU with Integrated 2.4G Wireless Communication
  • E6C1206RGBC3UDA – Ekinglux Optoelectronics Co., Ltd., RGB SMD LED

All LEDs datasheetsAll Texas Instruments datasheets (2,442)

Data on this page is extracted from publicly available manufacturer datasheets using automated tools including AI. It may contain errors or omissions. Always verify specifications against the official manufacturer datasheet before making design or purchasing decisions. See our Terms of Service. Rights holders can submit a takedown request.

Ask your AI agent about the TLC5940

Connect SheetsData to Claude, Cursor, Codex or any MCP client and your agent reads this datasheet for you: pinout, limits, register maps and design checks, with the numbers taken from the PDF.

claude mcp add --transport http sheetsdata https://mcp.sheetsdata.com/mcp

Then ask: "Can the TLC5940 run from my 12 V rail? Check it against the datasheet limits."

Create a free account $2 of usage every month, no card needed.