This circuit uses an MC3392 low
side protected switch and an MC1455 timing circuit to form an
automotive instrumentation panel lamp dimmer control. The
brightness of incandescent lamps can be varied by Pulse Width
Modulating the input of the MC3392. The modulating signal can be
obtained directly from the MC1455 timer (or a microprocessor). The
MC1455 is configured as a free-running clock having a frequency
and duty cycle control. The typical timer frequency is
approximately 80 Hz when the frequency potentiometer is adjusted
to 1.0k. This frequency was chosen so as to avoid any perceptible
lamp flicker. The duty cycle potentiometer controls the duty cycle
over a range of about 3% to 97%. When at 3% the lamps are
essentialy off, at 97% the lamps are essentially full on. Any
number of lamps can be control, so long as the total load current
is less than 1 amp. The LED is used to signal the existence of a
system fault (overvoltage, current limiting, or thermal shutdown).