FPGA can use for LED lighting application

Hi Suresh,

I personally think that an FPGA is overkill for this type of application. I think that unless you have spare FPGAs lying around to use they should really only be used when a microcontroller won't do, or doesn't have the necessary set of peripherals to accomplish the required task. I'm not saying that an FPGA isn't useful (It's like a blank canvas for us engineers to paint UARTS, PWM modules, etc. in order to create an embedded masterpiece).

I've use the Microchip dsPIC line of microcontrollers for these types of applications specifically DSPIC33FJ16GS504-I/MLDSPIC33FJ16GS504-I/ML and GS502. They are designed specifically for switch-mode power supplies, so they do an excellent job as intelligent LED Drivers. Most of the implementations you'll see involve a Digital PID-based control loop to regulate LED current. The chips have enough power that you could easily program RGB mixing and dimming algorithms to give you full control over the lighting environment.

Microchip offers lots of detailed application notes which can help you get your project going, see below.

AN874          Buck high powered LED driver

AN1074        Software PWM generation for LED dimming and RGB color applications

AN1138        A digital constant current LED driver

There are other application notes but these will give you an idea of what's involved.

If your not a strong programmer or would rather not deal with code directly the PsoC from Cypress Semiconductor is a good choice.

Their controllers are programmed using a GUI interface similar to Simulink or Labview, so if you are comfortable with those programs this may be a good choice.

Check out this 10W LED driver reference design

http://www.cypress.com/?rID=40857

I'm sure that with a few modifications this might work for you.

I hope that I've been able to give you a few ideas, to help you select the solution that's right for you. There are MANY products you could use to meet your specifications, you just have to use whats comfortable. If you are an FPGA expert then go ahead and use an FPGA the information above will still be useful to design the power stages and such. If you have no programming experience or are uncomfortable programming then the PSOC might be a good choice. I like to use PICs I find them to be flexible and easy to use for almost anything.

Best Regards,

Jorge Garcia

Hi Suresh,

I personally think that an FPGA is overkill for this type of application. I think that unless you have spare FPGAs lying around to use they should really only be used when a microcontroller won't do, or doesn't have the necessary set of peripherals to accomplish the required task. I'm not saying that an FPGA isn't useful (It's like a blank canvas for us engineers to paint UARTS, PWM modules, etc. in order to create an embedded masterpiece).

I've use the Microchip dsPIC line of microcontrollers for these types of applications specifically DSPIC33FJ16GS504-I/MLDSPIC33FJ16GS504-I/ML and GS502. They are designed specifically for switch-mode power supplies, so they do an excellent job as intelligent LED Drivers. Most of the implementations you'll see involve a Digital PID-based control loop to regulate LED current. The chips have enough power that you could easily program RGB mixing and dimming algorithms to give you full control over the lighting environment.

Microchip offers lots of detailed application notes which can help you get your project going, see below.

AN874          Buck high powered LED driver

AN1074        Software PWM generation for LED dimming and RGB color applications

AN1138        A digital constant current LED driver

There are other application notes but these will give you an idea of what's involved.

If your not a strong programmer or would rather not deal with code directly the PsoC from Cypress Semiconductor is a good choice.

Their controllers are programmed using a GUI interface similar to Simulink or Labview, so if you are comfortable with those programs this may be a good choice.

Check out this 10W LED driver reference design

http://www.cypress.com/?rID=40857

I'm sure that with a few modifications this might work for you.

I hope that I've been able to give you a few ideas, to help you select the solution that's right for you. There are MANY products you could use to meet your specifications, you just have to use whats comfortable. If you are an FPGA expert then go ahead and use an FPGA the information above will still be useful to design the power stages and such. If you have no programming experience or are uncomfortable programming then the PSOC might be a good choice. I like to use PICs I find them to be flexible and easy to use for almost anything.

Best Regards,

Jorge Garcia

Dear Jorge Garcia,

Thanks for details information sharing with me.

regards

suresh