TLC5971 12-Channel RGB LED Driver

Texas Instruments LED — specifications, applications, sourcing support and RFQ.

TLC5971 12-Channel RGB LED Driver

RFQ Available Sourcing Support Alternative Matching RoHS
Part Number
TLC5971
Manufacturer
Texas Instruments
Package
HTSSOP-20 6.50 mm x 4.40 mm; VQFN-24 4.00 mm x 4.00 mm
Category
LED
Product Type
SMD LED

Quick Sourcing Note

TLC5971 from Texas Instruments is a 12-channel RGB LED driver in the LED category, offered in HTSSOP-20 6.50 mm x 4.40 mm and VQFN-24 4.00 mm x 4.00 mm packages. It provides 12 constant-current sink outputs rated up to 60 mA per channel, 16-bit grayscale PWM with 65536 steps, and 7-bit global brightness control with 128 steps per color group. The device supports 6 V to 17 V operation with the internal regulator, 3 V to 5.5 V direct VREG/VCC operation, LED supply voltage up to 17 V, 20 MHz serial transfer, and unlimited cascading for multi-device RGB LED systems.

Specifications

TypeDescription
Part NumberTLC5971
ManufacturerTexas Instruments
Product TypeSMD LED
CategoryLED
Component TypePower_IC
Package / CaseHTSSOP-20 6.50 mm x 4.40 mm; VQFN-24 4.00 mm x 4.00 mm
Output Channels12 constant-current sink output channels
Channel Current Capability60 mA per channel
Grayscale PWM Resolution16-bit, 65536 steps
Global Brightness Control Resolution7-bit, 128 steps per color group
Internal Regulator Supply Voltage Range6 V to 17 V
Direct Power Supply Voltage Range3 V to 5.5 V
LED Supply VoltageUp to 17 V
Channel-to-Channel Current Accuracy±1% typ
Device-to-Device Current Accuracy±1% typ
Data Transfer Rate20 MHz
Internal Linear Regulator Output3.3 V
Operating Temperature Range-40°C to +85°C
Maximum Supply Voltage-0.3 V to 18 V
IREF Input Voltage-0.3 V to VREG + 0.3 V
SDTI/SCKI Input Voltage-0.3 V to VREG + 0.6 V
Constant-Current Output Voltage-0.3 V to 18 V
SDTO/SCKO Output Voltage-0.3 V to VREG + 0.3 V
VREG Voltage-0.3 V to 6 V
Output Current DC75 mA max
VREG Output Current DC-30 mA max
Maximum Operating Junction Temperature150°C
Storage Temperature-55°C to 150°C
ESD Rating HBM±4000 V
ESD Rating CDM±2000 V
Recommended VCC6 V min, 17 V max
Recommended VREG Supply3 V min, 3.3 V nom, 5.5 V max
Recommended Output Voltage17 V max
High-Level Input Voltage0.7 x VREG min, VREG max
Low-Level Input VoltageGND min, 0.3 x VREG max
Input Voltage Hysteresis0.2 x VREG
High-Level Output Current-2 mA
Low-Level Output Current2 mA
Recommended Constant Output Sink Current60 mA max
Recommended VREG Regulator Output Current-25 mA max
Operating Junction Temperature-40°C to 125°C
SCKI Clock Frequency0.007 MHz min, 20 MHz max
SCKI Pulse Duration10 ns min
SDTI Setup Time5 ns min
SDTI Hold Time3 ns min
Thermal Resistance Junction-to-Ambient68.6°C/W PWP; 38°C/W RGE
Thermal Resistance Junction-to-Case Top44.2°C/W PWP; 40.5°C/W RGE
Thermal Resistance Junction-to-Board19.3°C/W PWP; 10.2°C/W RGE
Junction-to-Top Characterization Parameter2.7°C/W PWP; 0.3°C/W RGE
Junction-to-Board Characterization Parameter15.7°C/W PWP; 10°C/W RGE
Thermal Resistance Junction-to-Case Bottom1.8°C/W PWP; 2.9°C/W RGE
High-Level Output VoltageVREG - 0.4 V min, VREG max
Low-Level Output Voltage0 V min, 0.4 V max
Input Current-1 µA min, 1 µA max
Supply Current ICC2 mA typ, 4 mA max
Supply Current ICC16 mA typ, 9 mA max
Supply Current ICC214 mA typ, 22 mA max
Supply Current ICC321 mA typ, 36 mA max
Constant Output Current56.3 mA min, 60.5 mA typ, 64.7 mA max
Output Leakage Current0.1 µA typ
Serial Shift Register Length224 bits
VREG Decoupling Capacitor1 µF
IREF FunctionExternal resistor sets maximum current for every constant-current output
IREF Output DisableAll outputs forced off
CascadingUnlimited device cascading
Thermal ShutdownThermal shutdown with auto restart
Datasheet Statusrequest_only

Product Overview

The TLC5971 is a Texas Instruments 12-channel RGB LED driver built around constant-current sink outputs. Each channel supports up to 60 mA, with 16-bit grayscale PWM control and 7-bit brightness control for each RGB color group. Current matching is specified at ±1% typical channel-to-channel and ±1% typical device-to-device accuracy.

Power options include a 6 V to 17 V VCC range when the internal 3.3 V linear regulator is used, or 3 V to 5.5 V operation when VREG is connected to VCC. LED/output supply voltage is supported up to 17 V. The serial interface operates up to 20 MHz and uses a 224-bit shift register for SDTI-to-SDTO data transfer.

The device is available in HTSSOP-20 6.50 mm x 4.40 mm and VQFN-24 4.00 mm x 4.00 mm packages. It is specified for -40°C to +85°C free-air operation, with recommended junction operation from -40°C to 125°C, thermal shutdown with auto restart, and unlimited cascading for expanded RGB LED channel counts.

Key Features

  • 12 constant-current sink output channels
  • 60 mA maximum recommended sink current per channel
  • 16-bit grayscale PWM with 65536 control steps
  • 7-bit brightness control per RGB color group
  • 6 V to 17 V operation with internal regulator
  • 3 V to 5.5 V direct VREG/VCC operation
  • LED/output supply voltage supported up to 17 V
  • 20 MHz serial interface data transfer rate
  • 224-bit serial shift register for SDTI and SDTO
  • Unlimited device cascading for expanded channel count
  • Thermal shutdown turns outputs off with auto restart
  • External IREF resistor sets maximum output current

Typical Applications

  • RGB LED driver boards
  • Multi-channel LED dimming
  • Cascaded LED control systems
  • High-resolution grayscale LED control
  • 17 V LED supply designs
  • Constant-current RGB lighting modules
  • Serially controlled LED assemblies

Procurement Notes

When requesting a quote for TLC5971, buyers should confirm the manufacturer, package or case, required quantity, target date code, compliance documents, packing method, destination country and expected delivery schedule.

If alternatives are acceptable, buyers should share the approved vendor list, required electrical or optical limits, package constraints and qualification requirements. Any alternative part should be reviewed by the buyer's engineering team before production use.

For LED and optoelectronic sourcing, brightness bin, wavelength or color temperature bin, forward voltage range, viewing angle, moisture sensitivity level and soldering process limits may affect final selection, availability and lead time.

FAQ

How many LED output channels does TLC5971 provide?

TLC5971 provides 12 constant-current sink output channels. Each channel is specified for 60 mA per-channel capability, with a recommended constant output sink current limit of 60 mA maximum.

What PWM and brightness control resolutions are supported?

The device supports 16-bit grayscale PWM control with 65536 steps. It also includes 7-bit global brightness control with 128 steps for each RGB color group.

What supply voltage options are specified for TLC5971?

With the internal linear regulator used, recommended VCC is 6 V minimum to 17 V maximum. When VREG is connected to VCC for direct supply operation, the recommended VREG supply range is 3 V to 5.5 V.

What happens if IREF is connected directly to ground?

The IREF pin normally uses an external resistor to set the maximum current for every constant-current output. If IREF is directly connected to GND, all outputs are forced off.

Technical Review & Sourcing Note

Prepared by LDeepAI Component Sourcing Team. Reviewed for RFQ, documentation and alternative sourcing use. Last updated: July 22, 2026.

This page is based on manufacturer datasheet information and LDeepAI sourcing review. Specifications should be verified against the official manufacturer datasheet before final procurement or design approval. Final electrical, optical and reliability approval should be confirmed by the buyer's engineering team.

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