The ISL97801 is a high-power LED backlight driver with an integrated 36V FET designed to drive up to 8 high-power LEDs in series. The PWM converter runs from an internally generated 1MHz clock. With efficiencies over 90% the regulator provides tight control of LED current and may be configured in either boost or buck topologies, allowing from 3 to 8 series diodes to be driven from wide input voltages. LED light level may be controlled either by: 1. LED DC bias current set via the LEVEL pin, or 2. External low frequency PWM control via the ENABLE/PWM pin. In both control modes optional over temperature thermal protection of the LED reduces the LED DC bias current above an adjustable set temperature, protecting the LED from thermal damage. An optional fault monitor drives an external FET between the input supply and inductor, providing short circuit current protection for the LED and inductor as well as load dump protection for automotive applications. For low cost applications the pass transistor may be omitted and the fault pin bypassed.