SNVS574G July 2008 – July 2019 LM3421 , LM3423
PRODUCTION DATA.
When the load is a string of LEDs, the output load resistance is the LED string dynamic resistance plus RSNS. LEDs are PN junction diodes, and their dynamic resistance shifts as their forward current changes. Dividing the forward voltage of a single LED (VLED) by the forward current (ILED) leads to an incorrect calculation of the dynamic resistance of a single LED (rLED). The result can be 5 to 10 times higher than the true rLED value.
Obtaining rLED is accomplished by referring to the manufacturer's LED I-V characteristic. It can be calculated as the slope at the nominal operating point as shown in Figure 29. For any application with more than 2 series LEDs, RSNS can be neglected allowing rD to be approximated as the number of LEDs multiplied by rLED.