Offline Power Converter for High-Brightness LEDs Using the PIC16HV785 Microcontrolle

High-brightness LEDs are finding their way into many popular applications and designers are now challenged to find new and more cost-effective ways of powering them. Many of these applications must be powered by an AC source requiring power factor correction, high efficiency, and possibly isolation for safety. Also, designers are looking for ways to add intelligence into their design. Often, it is not enough to turn the lights on and off. Applications need to sense internal and external changes and be able to respond intelligently to those events.

This application note demonstrates a simple flyback solution for an AC line-driven power converter capable of driving multiple high-brightness LEDs. Microchip’s PIC16HV785 microcontroller manages the power section of the converter. The single chip controller solution integrates analog peripherals with an MCU and firmware, which, together, are used to create an intelligent lighting source.