MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE - LIN RGB LED Slave Controller 32KB | Melexis
MPN: MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.95 | $3.95 |
| 10 | $3.55 | $35.50 |
| 100 | $3.1 | $310.00 |
| 500 | $2.75 | $1,375.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.45 | $2,450.00 |
MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE Overview
An automotive LIN (Local Interconnect Network) slave controller is a mixed-signal IC that combines a physical-layer LIN transceiver with an embedded microcontroller, allowing low-cost nodes to be daisy-chained onto a single-wire LIN bus for body-electronics applications such as lighting, seat control, and mirror adjustment. The MLX81109 specifically targets RGB lighting nodes, integrating constant-current LED drivers and PWM generation on-chip to eliminate external driver MOSFETs and current-set resistors, reducing module BOM cost and PCB area.
Key features include 4 constant-current LED outputs at 48 mA per channel (suitable for direct drive of high-brightness RGB LEDs), 8 general-purpose I/O pins, an internal RC oscillator, and 32 KB Flash memory for application code. The LIN transceiver is compliant with LIN 2.0/2.1/2.2 and SAE J2602, supporting baud rates up to 19.2 kBd. Operating voltage range is 5.5 V to 18 V (load-dump tolerant up to 40 V), with an ambient temperature range of -40 C to +125 C for under-hood and cabin deployment.
The device is built on Melexis' mixed-signal automotive process, integrating high-voltage LIN bus interface circuitry, an 8-bit 8051-compatible core, on-chip regulation, and LED current drivers on a single die. The exposed-pad VQFN-20 (5x5 mm) package provides a low thermal-resistance path for the internal linear LED drivers, which must dissipate the difference between bus voltage and LED forward voltage at up to 48 mA per channel.
Typical applications include automotive ambient interior RGB lighting, RGB dome/map reading lights, decorative exterior lighting, instrument-panel backlighting, and LIN-addressable LED strips. Its small footprint and integrated drivers make it ideal for space-constrained node modules placed inside lamp assemblies.
When designing with this part, evaluate total power dissipation in the linear LED drivers: at 48 mA per channel and a 5 V drop, each channel dissipates 240 mW, so the 4-channel worst case is approximately 1 W. A copper pour tied to the exposed pad is required to keep junction temperature within the 150 C limit. Ensure the LIN master provides adequate recessive time for proper synchronization and EMC compliance.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes for the MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MLX81109KLW-CAE-000-RE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MLX81109KLW-CAE-000-SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MLX81109KLW-CAE-100
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | LIN Slave Controller with LED Driver |
| Series | MLX81109 |
| Program Memory | 32 KB Flash |
| EEPROM | 380 B |
| Core | 8-bit (8051-compatible) |
| LIN Protocol | LIN 2.0/2.1/2.2, SAE J2602 |
| LIN Maximum Baud Rate | 19.2 kBd |
| LED Driver Channels | 4 |
| LED Constant Current per Channel | 48 mA |
| General Purpose I/O | 8 pins |
| Supply Voltage Range | 5.5 V to 18 V |
| Load Dump Tolerance | 40 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C |
| Package | VQFN-20 (5x5 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | LIN — LIN bus line (physical layer) |
| Pin 2 | VSUP — Battery supply input |
| Pin 3 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 4 | RESET — Reset input |
| Pin 5 | P0.0 — GPIO / peripheral pin |
| Pin 6 | P0.1 — GPIO / peripheral pin |
| Pin 7 | P0.2 — GPIO / peripheral pin |
| Pin 8 | P0.3 — GPIO / peripheral pin |
| Pin 9 | P0.4 — GPIO / peripheral pin |
| Pin 10 | P0.5 — GPIO / peripheral pin |
| Pin 11 | P0.6 — GPIO / peripheral pin |
| Pin 12 | P0.7 — GPIO / peripheral pin |
| Pin 13 | LED0 — LED constant-current sink channel 0 |
| Pin 14 | LED1 — LED constant-current sink channel 1 |
| Pin 15 | LED2 — LED constant-current sink channel 2 |
| Pin 16 | LED3 — LED constant-current sink channel 3 |
| Pin 17 | VDD — Internal regulated supply (decoupling) |
| Pin 18 | TEST — Test / factory mode |
| Pin 19 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 20 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Interior RGB Ambient Lighting, RGB Dome / Map Reading Lights, Instrument Panel Backlighting, Exterior Decorative Lighting (Grille / Footwell Glow), LIN-Addressable LED Strip Modules, HVAC Indicator & Status LEDs.
Automotive Interior RGB Ambient Lighting
The MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE integrates a LIN 2.x transceiver and four 48 mA constant-current LED drivers in a single 20-pin VQFN, making it ideal for slim RGB ambient-lighting strips under dashboards, doors, and footwells. Because each channel sinks 48 mA, the chip can directly drive mid-power RGB LEDs at typical Vf of 3.0-3.4 V without external MOSFETs. Engineered for 5.5-18 V bus supply with 40 V load-dump tolerance and AEC-Q100 ambient temperature -40 C to +125 C, the device is qualified for in-cabin automotive use. The 8051 core with 32 KB Flash hosts LIN color-mixing PWM, dimming curves, and fault diagnostics, eliminating an external MCU.
Recommended
RGB Dome / Map Reading Lights
Map and dome reading lights in modern vehicles increasingly use RGB sources to allow color tuning. The MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE directly drives four LED strings at 48 mA each, supporting a single white channel plus RGB mixers or two full RGB channels with the remaining two channels as redundant spares. Its LIN 2.x interface integrates the lighting node onto the vehicle's body bus, so no separate switch harness is required. The 5x5 mm VQFN fits inside the lamp head, and its -40 C to +125 C ambient rating survives the closed-cabin thermal environment.
Recommended
Instrument Panel Backlighting
Instrument cluster backlighting requires fine-grained PWM dimming and fault detection. The MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE's on-chip 8051 core runs PWM generation for up to four backlight zones while the integrated LIN transceiver receives dimming commands from the cluster MCU. Each channel provides 48 mA continuous, sufficient for medium-brightness gauge-pointer and telltale LEDs. The 32 KB Flash allows manufacturers to store custom dimming curves and color-shift profiles per vehicle variant without an external EEPROM, simplifying the BOM and improving EMC by keeping PWM traces inside the lamp housing.
Recommended
Exterior Decorative Lighting (Grille / Footwell Glow)
Premium vehicles use LIN-addressable RGB nodes for grille accents and welcome lighting. The MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE's 5.5-18 V supply range and 40 V load-dump tolerance handle the harsh underbody environment. Each of the four LED channels sinks 48 mA continuous, allowing parallel driving of high-brightness RGB LED strings for daytime welcome sequences. The 20-pin VQFN (5x5 mm) with exposed pad provides the thermal headroom needed when multiple channels operate at full duty cycle in hot ambient conditions up to +125 C.
Recommended
LIN-Addressable LED Strip Modules
Modular LIN LED strips place a small controller at every 50-100 mm interval, so PCB real estate is at a premium. The MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE integrates the LIN transceiver, MCU, and LED drivers in a 5x5 mm VQFN, enabling ultra-thin strip designs. Each node receives pixel data over the LIN bus and drives its four RGB channels independently for chasing-light effects. The 32 KB Flash supports local animation patterns, reducing LIN bus traffic and improving EMC by avoiding continuous high-speed data on a single-wire harness.
Recommended
HVAC Indicator & Status LEDs
HVAC control panels use multi-color status LEDs to indicate mode, fan speed, and recirculation. The MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE drives four RGB or amber/green/blue/red status LEDs at 48 mA per channel while the LIN bus ties the panel into the body controller for diagnostic data. The 380-byte EEPROM stores panel-specific calibration and LED matching data so multi-zone HVAC systems can use one firmware across variants. Its 5.5-18 V supply and -40 C to +125 C rating comfortably cover cabin temperatures including sun-loaded dashboards.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MLX81109KLW-CAE-100-RE — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MLX81109KLW-CAE-000-RE | MLX81109KLW-CAE-000-SP | MLX81109KLW-CAE-100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Melexis Technologies NV | Melexis Technologies NV | Melexis Technologies NV | Melexis Technologies NV |
| Package | VQFN-20 (5x5 mm) | VQFN-20 (5x5) - same | VQFN-20 (5x5) - same | VQFN-20 (5x5) - same |
| Program Memory | 32 KB Flash | 32 KB Flash | 32 KB Flash | 32 KB Flash |
| EEPROM | 380 B | 380 B | 380 B | 380 B |
| LED Channels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| LED Current per Channel | 48 mA | 48 mA | 48 mA | 48 mA |
| LIN Protocol | LIN 2.0/2.1/2.2 + SAE J2602 | LIN 2.0/2.1/2.2 + SAE J2602 | LIN 2.0/2.1/2.2 + SAE J2602 | LIN 2.0/2.1/2.2 + SAE J2602 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 5.5 V to 18 V | 5.5 V to 18 V | 5.5 V to 18 V | 5.5 V to 18 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C |
Key Differentiators
- Highest integration for LIN RGB nodes (vs Discrete LIN transceiver + external LED driver)
- Qualified for automotive environments (vs Industrial-grade LIN ICs)
- Pin-compatible order-code flexibility (vs Other LIN LED controllers (NXP, TI))
Design Notes
Estimated: at 18 V bus, 4 channels at 48 mA and a worst-case 5 V total LED Vf drop, the device dissipates P = (18-5) * 4 * 0.048 = 2.5 W in the linear LED drivers. With the VQFN-20 exposed pad tied to approximately 1 sq-in of 2-oz copper, theta_JA stays around 35 C/W, keeping junction rise below 90 C at 25 C ambient. Add thermal vias under the exposed pad to inner ground planes for further margin.
Place the VSUP and VDD decoupling capacitors as close as possible to their respective pins - use 100 nF X7R on VSUP and 10 uF + 100 nF on VDD. The LIN pin requires a pull-up to VSUP (typically 30 kohm internal, supplemented with a series resistor and a 220 pF capacitor to ground) for EMC compliance with SAE J2602 and LIN 2.x physical-layer conformance tests.
Route the LIN trace as a short, impedance-controlled line away from switching nodes; add a TVS diode (such as SMAJ33CA) directly at the connector for ISO 7637-2 surge compliance. The exposed pad must be soldered to a continuous ground copper pour with thermal vias - do not split this pour under the package as it is the primary heat path for the linear LED drivers.
Do not exceed 48 mA per LED channel - the internal driver is a constant-current sink but exceeding the absolute maximum will damage the output transistor. Avoid powering the LED outputs without the bus supply stable, as inrush may trigger fault protection. When using PWM color mixing, ensure the PWM frequency is above 200 Hz to avoid visible flicker on white balance modes.
The LIN bus termination is internal to the MLX81109; however for multi-node harnesses add a 1 nF capacitor at each node's LIN pin to ground to damp ringing. Do not place the LIN trace near noisy signals (LED PWM edges) without a ground guard trace. Keep the LIN trace length below 50 mm where possible to maintain slew-rate margins per LIN 2.x physical-layer spec.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Melexis product page. AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive use. Halogen-free status not explicitly listed in verified data.
