October 11, 2012, Seoul – STMicroelectronics (ST), a global semiconductor company providing a wide range of electronic applications and a supplier of automotive audio power amplifier chips[1], has unveiled the TDA7576B, its most powerful and easy-to-use audio power amplifier. This new product is suitable for trucks, buses, and agricultural vehicles that use 24V electrical systems rather than 12V. As the world's first product capable of directly driving 24V vehicle cockpit speakers without separate components, it reaffirms ST's commitment to the heavy vehicle sector.

Luca Celant, Director of Audio & Power Marketing at ST’s Automotive Products Group, said, “Millions of drivers of trucks and other heavy vehicles must drive long distances without a companion. High-quality audio helps them focus on driving comfortably, but until now, they had to be satisfied with anything less than the best. Leveraging its global leadership in automotive audio power amplifiers, ST has developed a special product that allows drivers of heavy vehicles to enjoy a high level of audio quality expected only in the latest vehicles.”

Audio amplifiers used in automotive systems must be designed to withstand demanding automotive environments. For example, they must be able to provide extensive measures against potential hazards such as high electrical noise isolation, short circuits, load dumps, and excessive chip temperatures. While audio amplifiers for 12V automotive systems already achieve a high level of sophistication, it has been difficult to achieve this in 24V systems without using external components. Furthermore, the use of external components not only increases product costs but can also cause safety issues in certain situations.

The TDA7576B 24V audio amplifier solved these problems with ST's unique technology. It is manufactured using a mass semiconductor manufacturing technology called BCD5, which allows a single chip to carry both the power block and the signal management block, eliminating the need for expensive multi-chips. Additionally, it can withstand supply voltages up to 60V without damage. As the most powerful audio power amplifier in the 24V system market to date, the TDA7576B was developed using the same guidelines and methods ST applies to standard car radio audio power amplifiers, ensuring that drivers of large vehicles can also enjoy the same high-quality audio.

The TDA7576B audio amplifier is included in ST’s recently announced portfolio of 24V automotive-specific products, which includes chips for external/internal lighting.

Key Features of TDA7576B:
• 24V battery powered
• High output power (2 x 20 W)
• Minimal external components (no decoupling capacitors, bootstrap capacitors, or external compensation devices required at all)
• Integrated power saving standby function
• Diagnostic output pin that sends an alarm to the host controller in case of clipping[2], short circuit, and excessive temperature
• Output DC offset detection
• 60V load dump, excessive chip temperature, electrostatic discharge, and GND, protection against short circuits to Vcc, full load, and output.

The TDA7576B is currently available in a small multiwatt 15 package and is priced at $4 for orders of 1,000 units.