STMicroelectronics (ST) has launched a new line of power management ICs that can be used across a variety of electronic platforms supporting automotive MCUs, and is expected to find diverse applications across the vehicle, including zone control units (ZCUs), vehicle control platforms (VCPs), body control modules (BCMs), and gateway modules.

ST has announced the SPSB100 power management IC supporting its Stellar automotive microcontroller.

The SPSB100 can program power sequences and finely adjust output voltage and current ranges.

SPSB100 can be used in zone control units (ZCU), vehicle control platforms (VCP), body control modules (BCM), and gateway modules.

The IC features three switching-mode buck converters and two linear voltage regulators (LDOs) to provide the voltage rails required for the system microcontroller.

It can also power external peripheral loads and sensors. It also has two wake-up inputs and advanced fault protection. An internal boost controller stabilizes power even under transient conditions.

All buck converters feature overcurrent detection and current limiting. Two buck converters provide up to 3A of output current, while the other buck converter provides up to 6A. One LDO supplies up to 120mA at a fixed 5V output, while the other can be configured to match the output voltage of the buck converter.

It also includes a high-side driver that diagnoses open loads and overcurrents. The SPSB100 has integrated nonvolatile memory that stores output voltage values and power sequences. Designers can utilize the SPSB100 in a variety of electronic platforms.

The SPSB100 provides a deep-sleep mode, a dedicated interrupt pin for communication faults, a microcontroller reset generator, and overtemperature warning and protection features. A description of applications that meet the ISO 26262 functional safety standard is also provided.

The SPSB100 is available in two configurations, pre-programmed to power the microcontroller’s core and internal switching-mode power supply (SMPS). It is AEC-Q100 qualified and available now in an 8 mm x 8 mm VFQFN56 package. Pricing starts at $2.40 in quantities of 1,000.