STMicroelectronics (hereinafter ST) announced on the 12th that it is providing a solution for LED lighting applications by launching the STNRG012, a highly integrated, space-saving digital power controller with advanced distortion mitigation capabilities.

This device includes a multi-mode Power-Factor Correction (PFC) controller managed by a digital engine, a resonant half-bridge controller, and an 800V starting circuit.

ST emphasized that the PFC controller provides optimal efficiency by dynamically switching between Transition-Mode, Discontinuous-Current Mode (DCM), and Valley Skipping. The half-bridge controller performs precise soft switching by implementing ST's patented Time-Shift Control (TSC). Additionally, it added that the STNRG012 drives DC power supply-based designs in both battery-powered and line-powered applications up to 300W with an input voltage range of up to 305VAC.

It was explained that the digital engine is hosted on an 8-bit core, executes effective control algorithms, and manages PFC and half-bridge circuits through high-speed SMED (State-Machine Event Driven) peripherals. Additional dedicated hardware IP blocks, such as the power manager and burst-mode engine, ensure stable operation and minimize power consumption in idle mode. It was emphasized that system safety features such as surge protection and anti-capacitive protection for the half bridge are built-in, and reliability is guaranteed through fast operation as it is managed by hardware.

The STNRG012 stores operating parameters and calibration factors on-chip in non-volatile memory, allowing users to program the device by specifying settings during production. It was explained that digital programming reduces the number of external components used in existing configurations, thereby lowering the Bill of Materials (BoM) and circuit size, while the UART port for monitoring and communication simplifies testing and enables real-time surveillance.

The STNRG012 is currently in production in an SO-20 (20-pin Small-Outline) package, and further information can be found at www.st.com/resonant-controllers.