As the automotive industry transitions towards intelligence and electrification, the demand for automotive lighting systems is also evolving. Modern automotive lighting is no longer just a simple illumination function; it has become an essential component for information transmission and driving safety. For example, in autonomous driving scenarios, changes in light color can alert drivers to take over the vehicle, or light animations inside the vehicle can enhance the driving and riding experience. However, traditional CAN and LIN communication protocols have limitations when dealing with high numbers of LEDs and high-dynamic lighting, such as insufficient bandwidth, high costs, or the inability to support fast animations.

On March 13, 2025, Melexis, a global microelectronics engineering company, announced the launch of its first product supporting the MeLiBu® 2.0 protocol—the MLX80142 dual RGB LED driver chip. This innovative product marks a new era in automotive lighting technology, providing an efficient and flexible solution for next-generation intelligent RGB lighting applications.

Technical Breakthroughs of the MeLiBu® 2.0 Protocol

The MeLiBu® 2.0 protocol represents a significant upgrade from the existing MeLiBu® technology. Traditional CAN and LIN networks are insufficient for high-speed dynamic RGB LED lighting needs. In contrast, MeLiBu® 2.0, with its UART over CAN-FD communication method, achieves a communication speed of up to 4 Mbit/s, enabling the control of over 3,500 RGB LEDs (more than 10,500 LED chips) throughout the vehicle's interior and exterior. This technological breakthrough not only meets the complex dynamic lighting system requirements of automotive manufacturers but also significantly reduces design complexity and costs.

As the first LED driver chip compatible with the MeLiBu® 2.0 protocol, the MLX80142 supports up to 500 RGB LEDs for each MeLiBu® subnet. Its code-free development approach further simplifies the deployment process of complex LED systems, offering automotive manufacturers greater design flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Core Advantages of the MLX80142 Chip

The MLX80142 is a six-channel chip designed for high-precision, high-speed control of dual RGB LEDs. It employs in-mold assembly technology (IMSE), which effectively addresses stringent space constraints and is suitable for compact lighting components such as instrument panels and door liners. Additionally, the MLX80142 features a directly connected internal bus, ensuring that the failure of one chip does not affect the normal operation of other LED driver chips. The chip also complies with ASIL B functional safety requirements, making it suitable for vehicle safety lighting applications.

The code-free development method of the MLX80142 makes it one of the most easily integrated LED driver chips on the market. With its state machine-based configuration, developers can quickly deploy complex LED systems while minimizing development costs and workload.

Future Trends in Automotive Lighting Technology

As automotive lighting increasingly becomes a key visual element in modern vehicle design, the demand for dynamic lighting functions is growing. The combination of the MeLiBu® 2.0 protocol and the MLX80142 chip offers automotive manufacturers the possibility to implement complex dynamic lighting systems. For example, dynamic daytime running lights (DRL) and full-color RGB taillights not only enhance the vehicle's aesthetics but also convey important safety information through color changes and flashing sequences.

Michael Bender, Melexis' Product Line Director, said, "Automotive lighting is a key element in the interaction between people and vehicles. It can not only transmit safety information but also enhance visual recognition and enable personalization. The combination of second-generation MeLiBu® technology and the MLX80142 offers automotive manufacturers unprecedented design flexibility."

Industry Impact and Market Prospects

The launch of the MeLiBu® 2.0 protocol and the introduction of the MLX80142 chip further solidify Melexis' leading position in the automotive lighting field. Several multinational automotive manufacturers have already adopted MeLiBu® technology and applied it to the intelligent lighting systems of their high-end models. In the future, with the popularization of autonomous driving technology, dynamic in-vehicle lighting will play an even more important role. For example, color changes can alert drivers to take over the vehicle, or light sequences can convey vehicle status information. The high communication speed and flexibility of the MeLiBu® 2.0 protocol make it an ideal choice for implementing these functions.

Conclusion

Melexis' first product supporting the MeLiBu® 2.0 protocol, the MLX80142, not only drives innovation in automotive lighting technology but also provides automotive manufacturers with an efficient and flexible solution. Its high-precision control, code-free development, and strong communication capabilities make it a benchmark product for next-generation intelligent RGB lighting applications. As the demand for automotive lighting continues to evolve, the MeLiBu® 2.0 protocol and the MLX80142 chip will play an increasingly important role in future vehicle designs.

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