STMicroelectronics (ST), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has improved space savings and easier integration across applications in body electronics, audio systems, and inverter gate drivers.

STMicroelectronics today announced the introduction of a new automotive-qualified step-down synchronous DC/DC converter that supports light-load, low-noise, and heat-saving applications.

The A6983 converter consists of six non-isolated step-down converters with low power consumption and low noise configurations and the A6983I isolated buck converter, providing flexible selection depending on the design.

This highly integrated monolithic device with on-chip compensation circuitry allows designs to be designed with minimal external components, including the transformer, filtering, and feedback provided in the A6983I.

The non-isolated A6983 converter delivers up to 3A of load current and typically achieves 88% efficiency at full load.

Specialized for low power consumption, the A6983C is optimized for light-load operation with high efficiency and low output ripple, minimizing vehicle battery drain in applications that require the device to remain active while parked.

The A6983N, a low-noise product, operates at a constant switching frequency and minimizes output ripple across the entire load range, making it ideal for power supplies in audio systems. Provides optimal performance in the same application.

Both types have an adjustable output voltage from 0.85 V to VIN and a choice of 3.3 V and 5 V.

The A6983I is a 10W isolated buck converter that supports primary-side regulation without the need for an optocoupler.

It is ideally suited for use as an isolated gate driver for IGBT or SiC (Silicon-Carbide) MOSFET in traction inverters and on-board chargers (OBC), and can accurately regulate the primary output voltage. The secondary voltage is determined by the transformer turns ratio.

Both isolated and non-isolated products offer low standby operating current of 25 μA and a power-saving shutdown mode that consumes less than 2 μA.

It prevents power interruption caused by transient phenomena on the main supply bus with an input voltage range of 3.5 V to 38 V and a load-dump tolerance of up to 40 V.

It also features output overvoltage protection, thermal protection, and internal soft-start. In addition, it provides a spread-spectrum operation option to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) for noise-sensitive applications, and a Power-Good pin to support power sequencing. The A6983I and A6983M can also be synchronized to an external clock.

The converters are available in a 3mm x 3mm QFN16 package. Pricing starts at $1.75 for the A6983 and $1.81 for the A6983I in quantities of 1000 pieces, and samples of the A6983 and A6983I are available free of charge from the ST eStore. Jump-start development and accelerate your projects with the STEVAL-A6983CV1 and STEVAL-A6983NV1 A6983 evaluation boards and the STEVAL-L6983IV evaluation board for the A6983I.

For further information, please visit www.st.com/A6983-A6983I.