Has anyone made an LED driver based on LM3463 6 channel driver IC?

[jedo65]

Hey Tom-

Here's the Pcb that I've managed to create. I actually had to create the A6211 chip library from scratch, as I couldn't find an existing Eagle Library for it. The Pcb passes Itead's design checks and the I drew the circuit directly from the Manufacturer's data sheet, so it should work in theory...Lol. Let me know what you think?

Hi, nice work!:thumbsup:
Are the eagle files "free" available?

 

[007Bond]

Hey O2,...Dose this look like any kind of a 6211 circuit?---Rick

 

[O2Surplus]

Hey O2,...Dose this look like any kind of a 6211 circuit?---Rick

Looks good to me! Are you going to put 5 of them side by side, sorta like the one I posted above?

 

[007Bond]

Hey O2 thanks for the how to explanation. I've used a heat gun on heatshrink before. I would think the gun would blow the smd parts from their positions. I'll try eagle as you said. Another problem, is I don't know what the correct sizes are for the various parts needed. I made the schematic as a knock off of the one you posted and added the connectors from the libary. Anyhow I'll keep playing with it!---Rick

 

[007Bond]

Looks good to me! Are you going to put 5 of them side by side, sorta like the one I posted above?

Ya thats what I would like to do. I need to see how to transfer it over to the board while showing me the size its going to be, and then learning top layer, bottom layer, ground plane ect. :fun5:

 

[O2Surplus]

Ya thats what I would like to do. I need to see how to transfer it over to the board while showing me the size its going to be, and then learning top layer, bottom layer, ground plane ect. :fun5:

So you want to create a PcB? From the schematic layout editor- click "file", select "switch to board". The Eagle software will then open a pop up window that says something like this- "The board file does not exist- create from schematic?" Click "Yes". The software will then switch over to the Board Layout editor. You'll see all of your parts in the lower left corner of the screen and a white box to the right. The white box is your "PcB". The PcB measures 100mm x 80mm IIRC in the "lite or freeware" version of eagle. You can use to "Move" an "Rotate" commands to re-locate your components to the PcB and re-size the PcB to your liking. It takes awhile to learn, but you'll get it down. LOL

 

[asid61]

100mm x 80mm is more than enough for most things. Also, there is a button 4 to the right from "open" that switches between board and schematic.
I recommend getting a single-layer version down first, the moving the parts to make a double-layer. Also, don't use the autorouter. It sucks, and never works for me.

 

[007Bond]

Thanks guys!
I tried what you described the other day after watching a video from a young guy (Jeremy Blum). I'll play with it some more once I understand what its going to do.
O2 dose the electrical lay out I put up look electrically correct?
The other day when I moved to the board, moved the parts... hit ratsnest, it looked like everything was crossing. Do you need to relocate parts to untangle the routs, or dose it just all work out in the end?

 

[O2Surplus]

Thanks guys!
I tried what you described the other day after watching a video from a young guy (Jeremy Blum). I'll play with it some more once I understand what its going to do.
O2 dose the electrical lay out I put up look electrically correct?
The other day when I moved to the board, moved the parts... hit ratsnest, it looked like everything was crossing. Do you need to relocate parts to untangle the routs, or dose it just all work out in the end?

Rick-

Yes- it helps to untangle the "air wires" a bit, but that's basically what you're doing as you layout your design. The "ratsnest" command will help untangle the air wires as you go. Remember- there are at least 2 air wires for each component, which adds to the visual confusion. To help eliminate some of that visual "mess", I use the "Polygon" command to draw a ground plane on the top layer of the board, and then "copy" it to the bottom side of the board. Then place all my components on the top layer and then invoke the "Rat's nest" command to eliminate all the ground side air wires. That approach will make it easier for you to place the components in logical locations based on the remaining air wires. Use the Rat's nest command often and don't forget to run the DRC (Design Rule Check) command (found under the "tools" tab) on a regular basis to make sure your design is within limits.

Oh one more thing! Your schematic looks correct, but I screwed up when I made the A6211 part library. I forgot to include the #1 pin identifier "dot" and forgot to assign a "pin" to the thermal tab under the chip. I've attached the corrected library. Just load it into your library folder and use the "replace" command in the schematic editor to update your A6211. Don't forget to tie the thermal tab to ground.

 

[007Bond]

Thanks O2,... Your explanations are very clear, you should be a teacher (or maybe you are) lol. I seen the guy on the video use the Polygon command, I'll try to put it into play on my layout. I'll upload your 6211 file. I seen something in the manufacture speck about the center pad helping out as a heatsink(was wondering at the time how to solder it)
What I need to do next is apply the information you guys have posted, and see where I end up. This is really interesting, now I know how Dr. Frankenstine felt in his laboratory. :lmao: ---Rick

 

[O2Surplus]

I seen something in the manufacture speck about the center pad helping out as a heatsink(was wondering at the time how to solder it)

Hey- Thanks for the compliments! I've always considered myself a "Jack of all trades and Master of none". LOL
Just stick a big "Via" under that tab. Just make sure to adjust the drill size to 1.6mm IIRC. That way you'll be able to solder it down from the bottom of the PcB. That's how I do it, and don't worry about the DRC issuing and "overlap" error after you've run the command. Just "Approve"the error, as you've added the "Via" for reasons the DRC does not understand.

 

[007Bond]

Got it :thumbsup: I'll start rereading all your posts in the morning. Stuff tends to stick in the gray matter a little better when I'm fresh. As Arnie says..."I'll beee back!"---Rick

 

[007Bond]

Tom,...You still moving.

 

[007Bond]

Here we go again! O2, I think I uploaded the A6211 link, but the only change I see on the schematic is a + in the middle of the part symbol. I'm not clear on what you mean by

"I forgot to include the #1 pin identifier "dot" and forgot to assign a "pin" to the thermal tab under the chip. I've attached the corrected library. Just load it into your library folder and use the "replace" command in the schematic editor to update your A6211. Don't forget to tie the thermal tab to ground."
Rick

 

[O2Surplus]

Here we go again! O2, I think I uploaded the A6211 link, but the only change I see on the schematic is a + in the middle of the part symbol. I'm not clear on what you mean by

"I forgot to include the #1 pin identifier "dot" and forgot to assign a "pin" to the thermal tab under the chip. I've attached the corrected library. Just load it into your library folder and use the "replace" command in the schematic editor to update your A6211. Don't forget to tie the thermal tab to ground."
Rick

Oh- Now that you've replaced the library, you'll have to "right click" on the A6211 part in the Board editor and select "replace". The Eagle software will open the Library screen. Go to the new A6211 library and select the A6211 again. Once you've done that you should see the "new" version of the A6211 in the Board editor. The software may also open a pop up window saying something like "there's a new version of this part available, would you like to replace it?" Just click yes.
When I first created the library for the A6211, I cheated a bit and used an existing part in the SOIC8 package for reference. The part I chose used a simple line to denote a chamfered edge on one side of the actual plastic chip package. I then received my order of A6211 chips and when I inspected them closely,I noticed that the #1 pin was denoted by an "identifier dot". Since I'd already posted the new library to the forum, I wanted to make sure that I corrected the problem, so that you and others would not get confused when trying to position the chip correctly on your PcB's. I know it's a small detail, but it's important to get it right. I don't want anyone to let the smoke out of their chips, because they had to guess it's proper pin alignment.

 

[007Bond]

Thanks I'll give it a try. Now I get "identifier dot"

 

[007Bond]

Finally in forward motion... The A6211 uploaded to the library under O2Surplus Alegro A6211(didn't think to look in the O's)lol.
Soooo now I'm going to redoing the schematic. My question is do I need to add 5 of everything on the schematic, or just put one drawing together and then multiply it out when I move it to the board layout?--RICK

 

[O2Surplus]

Finally in forward motion... The A6211 uploaded to the library under O2Surplus Alegro A6211(didn't think to look in the O's)lol.
Soooo now I'm going to redoing the schematic. My question is do I need to add 5 of everything on the schematic, or just put one drawing together and then multiply it out when I move it to the board layout?--RICK

You may have to experiment a bit, because I'm so used to using the "standard" version of EAGLE that I can't remember the all the program limitations of the "Lite" version. I know that the "Lite" version only allows one page for your schematic, so you're probably stuck to placing 5 copies of the basic driver schematic there, and then placing all of your components manually in the Board editor. There is one trick IIRC that can make your life easier though, but it still involves some work.

Starting in the board editor.

1.) Draw up and arrange your driver components (for one driver only) as you'd like to see them. Get all your wiring traces, ground planes and vias installed.
2.) Go to the upper left corner of the board editor and open the "Layer settings" window. Now scroll down and turn "Off" all layers except for #1, #16, #17, and #18. You should now only be able to see the top and bottom planes and traces along with any pads and vias that you've placed.
3.) Click the "Group" command and use it to highlight everything that remains showing on the PcB.
4.) Click the "Copy" command and then move the cursor near your drawing. "right click" and the option to "Copy Group" should show up. "Left Click" the "Group Copy" and a copy of everything should now show up. Move the Copy into your preferred position on the board.
5.) repeat steps #3 & #4 until you have 5 distinct copies on your PcB.
6.) Go back to the "layer settings" command and re-enable all the layers that you hid earlier.
7.) Move back to the schematic editor and use the "Group copy" command sequence to make 4 more copies of your driver components.
8.) Move to the board editor and place all of your components to their respective positions on the new "copies" of your led driver.
9.) You'll have to "right click" on the new traces and polygons to check their "properties" and identify them."Rename" all traces and polygons using the names of the "air wires" associated with the components you've placed on them.

It's going to be a lot of work,but that's how the folks at Cadsoft prod you into actually paying for the better version of the software. Let me know if you run into trouble. If you send me a copy of your .brd & .sch files,I can do the copy & paste work for you, and then send you back the files for your final additions and tweaks.

 

[007Bond]

Thanks O2 I'll give it a try, I'm actually pretty patient at learning new stuff.

I just got the schematic done, I think I'll forward it, so you can take a gander if you would before I get to carried away. Thanks again---Rick

 

[007Bond]

Hey O2, I wanted to get my schematic to you, but I can't seem to get if off the eagle site.
So how do I send it?---Rick