Table of Contents
Quick takeaway
IC is a key component in led display, It takes up a big share of the cost of the led display. Different IC’s price has a huge difference, which would also affect the led display’s price greatly. Hence by different applications, we can use different IC to save the cost.
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Introduction of LED display Driving IC
Driving IC is the electrical component that supply power to the LED lamp, It has constant voltage driving IC, and constant current driving IC. As the LED lamp do not have a linear voltage-current ratio, As you see the chart below
Small voltage change would lead to a huge current change. And the brightness of the lamp is determined by the current. Hence now most driving IC used in LED display are constant current types.
Constant current driving IC
During the development of the LED display technology, different types of constant current driving IC appeared.
1: Common constant current driving IC (such as MBI5024)
Common constant current driving IC is used in basic LED applications, capable of providing a constant current output to drive LEDs. The design of this type of IC is relatively simple and suitable for application scenarios that do not need good visual effect, or people are far away from the led display.
2:Dual Buffer constant current driving IC (such as ICND2038s)
Double cache driver chips are usually used in applications that require higher refresh rates and smoother grayscale control, such as LED displays. It contains two data buffers, one of which is used to receive new data, while the other is used to send current data to the LED. While one buffer is being updated, the other buffer can continue to drive the LED, thus avoiding display interruptions and ensuring image continuity and stability.
3:PWM constant current driving IC ( such ICND 2065)
The PWM driver chip adjusts the LED’s brightness by changing the output pulse’s duty cycle, thereby achieving brightness adjustment and grayscale control. This modulation method can provide highly efficient brightness control without significantly affecting the LED color temperature. The frequency of the PWM signal is usually set high enough to avoid flicker being detected by the human eye while maintaining a good visual effect. PWM driver chips are very common in various LED lighting and display applications because they provide flexibility and energy efficiency.
Why IC is important?
IC is the key component that determine the visual effects of the led display. Driving IC directly determine the greyscale ability and the refresh rate of the led display. Higher greyscale always means smooth transition between different colors, especial in colorful images and videos. Higher refresh rate means the screen can have a more stable visual effect, also means less dark line or refresh rate line when take photos by phones or camera.
Below is a picture, it has white line all cross the led display, this is because the refresh rate of this screen is not higher enough. For example, if this screen is 3840Hz, then it won’t have such effect
1: Mblock
Macroblock was founded in Taiwan in 1999. With a passion rooted in LED driver IC design, Macroblock positions as a mixed-signal driver IC design house focusing on optoelectronic applications and power management.Not only have our drivers been used for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, virtual productions in Hollywood, 2022 Tokyo Dome, 2023 MSG Sphere and etc.
Our backlight and automotive driver ICs are also qualified by world key players. Macroblock’s driver ICs have been the preferred option adopted by worldwide customers due to our performance and reliability.
Popular IC: MBI5264, MBI5253, MBI5026
2: Chipone 
Founded in 2008, Beijing Chipone Technology Co., Ltd. is an international leading display chip design company, committed to becoming a leader in total display control. The company now has a full range of display driver chips, power management chips, SoC chips, automotive chips and other product series, which can be widely used in mobile terminal products, wearable devices, indoor and outdoor ultra-high-de” nition displays, AR/VR, industrial,automotive,medical and other scenarios. The market share of Chipone’s LED display driver chips has ranked “rst in the world for four consecutive years, and the market share of LCD DDIC, TDDI chips and panel power management chips for smartphones has ranked “rst among mainland manufacturers. As of the end of September 2023, Chipone has applied for a total of 2,119 domestic and foreign patents, and has won many honors such as
“National Intellectual Property Advantage Enterprise” and “National Manufacturing Single Champion Demonstration Enterprise”.
Popular IC: ICND2153, ICND1065, ICND2065, ICND2165, ICND1069
3: Sunmoon Microelectronics 
Shenzhen Sunmoon Microelectronics Co., Ltd. was established in October 2003. It is a hightech enterprise specializing in integrated circuit research, design, packaging, testing and sales. Since its establishment, the company has focused on the field of digital-analog hybrid and analog integrated circuits. Its products mainly include but not limited to display driver chips, linear power supplies,power management chips, and are widely used in MiniLED and MicroLED covering LED display screens, smart landscapes, intelligent lighting, electronic products and equipment. Sunmoon has gathered a vigorous, positiveR&D and management team. Most of the engineering and technical personnel have more than 15 years ofexperience in the IC industry. At present, the company has a provincial engineering technology center, a provincial and ministerial production and research base, and a municipal engineering laboratory. Sunmoon now has more than 400 intellectual property rights and has passed ISO9001:2015 quality management system and GB/T29490-2013 enterprise intellectual property management system certification. Sunmoon adheres to the orientation of “innovation, quality, refinement, and mutual benefit”, and is committed to building a well-known brand at home and abroad.
Popular IC: SM16380
4：Chipfountain 
Established in 2020 and headquartered in Shanghai,China, Chipfountain is a leading professional IC design supplier for power analog and digital-analog hybrid.Chipfountain attaches great importance to technological innovation and takes innovation as core competitiveness. Meanwhile, the company implements strict quality control system, pursues differentiated development, devotes itself to providing customers with highly competitive products and solutions in LED display and control , consumer electronics ,industrial control and other fields.
After years of technology accumulation, Chipfountain has made fruitful R&D achievements and developed a series of industry-leading products in the fields of LED display and control.In future, Chipfountain will continue to uphold technological innovation, closely follow the actual needs of customers, provide customers with better products and services, jointly promote the innovative development of the industry, and create greater value for global consumers.
Popular IC: CFD555
Different project IC recommendation
IC is a key component in led display, It takes up a big share of the cost of the led display. Different IC’s price has a huge difference, which would also affect the led display’s price greatly. Hence by different applications, we can use different IC to save the cost.
For outdoor led display project
outdoor led display is normally installed 10m away, and the led display is also exposed to sunlight. Under such condition, we know that led display’s brightness is the key factor, and greyscale and refresh rate is not that important. Hence refresh rate 1920Hz is ok, would suggest to use normal IC.
For indoor led display project
As for indoor led display project, as the screen’s pixel pitch is normally small, we would expect a vivid visual effect with high greyscale and high refresh rate. Hence normally we would suggest to use IC with ability to reach 3840Hz, such as 2153, 2163.
For TV studio project
For the TV studio project, as the led display would be used under low brightness condition, hence the IC need to have low brightness high greyscale ability. It should also avoid refresh line, dark line under camera. Hence would need high end IC with high refresh rate ability. Normally would suggest refresh rate of 7680Hz, suggest to use ICND2165, ICND3065, or MBI5264
For flexible led display project
Flexible led display is normally used attract people’s eye, people would take pictures with it, hence it should have a high refresh rate and high greyscale. Hence would suggest to use ICND1065s which can reach refresh rate of 3840Hz
