Elmos Semiconductor SE has announced its first design wins with a German premium original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for its new E522.96 LED controller, a component that enables pixel-based OLED rear lights with more than 500 individually controllable light points across both rear lights of a vehicle. The disclosure, made via NEWMEDIAWIRE, marks a significant step in the evolution of automotive exterior lighting from simple illumination to high-resolution, dynamic communication surfaces.
The E522.96 controller manages up to 48 channels—three times as many as previous Elmos LED controllers for exterior lighting—allowing complex lighting functions to be implemented with fewer components. Across both rear lights, more than 500 light points can be individually controlled and combined into unique, dynamic lighting designs. The controller is available in CAN-FD and UART versions to accommodate different vehicle architectures, enabling manufacturers to select the communication interface best suited to each application.
This matters because vehicle exterior lighting is increasingly becoming 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 the bar for precise and reliable control of each individual light point. By securing design wins with a German premium OEM, Elmos is demonstrating that its technology can meet the rigorous demands of sophisticated OLED lighting applications. The company intends to place even greater emphasis on the exterior lighting sector in the future.
“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.”
Elmos 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. Additionally, the 16-channel E522.95 controller complements the lineup for brake and turn signal functions. The company will showcase an OLED demonstrator using the E522.96 at electronica 2026 in Munich, illustrating how hundreds of individually controlled pixels create a precise and dynamic lighting experience.
The implications extend beyond aesthetics. As vehicles become more software-defined and electrified, exterior lighting is emerging as a key differentiator for automakers seeking brand recognition and advanced safety communication. Elmos, a fabless specialist in analog mixed-signal ICs with over 40 years of experience, is positioning itself at the center of this trend. The design wins provide validation of its technology and open the door to a growing market for high-resolution lighting solutions. For the industry, the move signals that pixel-level control is becoming a practical reality, potentially accelerating the adoption of OLED rear lights across premium and mainstream vehicle segments. The original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com.
