Elmos Semiconductor SE has secured its first design wins with a German premium automaker for its new E522.96 LED controller, a 48-channel device that enables pixel-based OLED rear lights with more than 500 individually controllable light points across both rear lights of a vehicle. The announcement, made via NEWMEDIAWIRE, marks a significant step for the company into high-resolution exterior lighting applications.
The E522.96 controller triples the channel count of previous Elmos LED controllers for exterior lighting, allowing complex lighting functions to be implemented with fewer components. It is available in CAN-FD and UART versions to suit different vehicle architectures, giving automakers flexibility in communication interface selection. The design wins underscore the growing importance of high-resolution lighting solutions around the vehicle, as exterior lighting increasingly becomes a distinctive design element with dynamic functions for communication and safety.
Pixel-based OLED rear lights open up new possibilities for dynamic lighting animations, but they also raise demands for precise and reliable control of each individual light point. Elmos’ controller addresses this by enabling hundreds of pixels to be controlled individually, which can be combined into unique and dynamic lighting designs. This capability allows automakers to create lighting signatures that enhance brand recognition and can also support safety-related communication, such as signaling vehicle status or intentions to other road users.
“Modern exterior lighting combines complex electronics with an immediate impact on design, brand recognition, and safety. Our innovative LED controllers give OEMs new freedom to create dynamic lighting signatures and intelligent lighting functions,” said Dr. Jan Dienstuhl, Chief Sales Officer of Elmos Semiconductor SE. “The first design wins with the new E522.96 confirm our innovative technology and give Elmos access to sophisticated OLED lighting applications. We intend to develop this attractive growth area even more systematically in the future,” Dr. Dienstuhl continued.
The company is also expanding its portfolio for future vehicle architectures. Smart Edge Gateway ICs can enable communication between LED controllers via Ethernet based on 10BASE-T1S for lighting applications on and inside the vehicle. The 16-channel E522.95 controller complements the lineup for brake and turn signal functions. Elmos will showcase an OLED demonstrator using the E522.96 at electronica 2026 in Munich, demonstrating how hundreds of individually controlled pixels create a precise and dynamic lighting experience.
For the automotive industry, the design wins signal a broader shift toward software-defined lighting systems that integrate advanced electronics with exterior design. As vehicles become more connected and autonomous, lighting is evolving from a simple safety feature into a communication tool and brand differentiator. Elmos, a fabless specialist in analog mixed-signal ICs, is positioning itself at the center of this trend. The full release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
