Minimizing component costs and power amplifier volume
Contributing to the improvement of overall vehicle energy efficiency

STMicroelectronics (hereinafter ST) has added an automotive audio power amplifier to its product family that minimizes external components, component costs, and power amplifier volume, while supporting the digital flexibility of telematics and AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alert System).

ST announced on the 9th that it has added the latest single-channel 10W Class-D audio power amplifiers, the FDA803S and FDA903S, to its Fully Digital Amplifier (FDA) product family.

These amplifiers are designed for automotive applications such as emergency communication systems (eCall) and telematics, as well as for all audio channels that need to play human voices, music, or warning messages with a standard output power of up to 10W.

These amplifiers incorporate an I2S front end and a digital core, as well as a 24-bit DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) with 100dB resolution and a Class-D PWM output stage.

Integrated digital audio processing ensures high sound quality within a small circuit footprint and simplifies circuit design and saves space through internal chip feedback prior to an external LC output filter.

In addition, including clipping detection, thermal warning, overcurrent protection, and open-load detection Both amplifiers minimize external components and Bill of Materials (BoM) through in-play diagnostic functions and I2C interfaces.

The FDA903S additionally integrates a real-time load current monitor to provide self-diagnostic capabilities that comply with functional safety application requirements up to ASIL A level.

Both devices are available in a 5mm x 5mm QFN32 package with a bottom exposed pad, supporting a compact, cost-effective, and complete digital design without a heatsink.

Using this IC enables implementation with a small number of components and without a heatsink, minimizing the volume of the power amplifier; furthermore, thanks to low standby current, it minimizes size, weight, and power consumption, contributing to improved overall vehicle energy efficiency.

Both the FDA803S and FDA903S are equipped with I2S digital inputs and a Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) interface.

Since the sampling frequency can be configured over a wide range from 8kHz to a maximum of 96kHz, the performance of various audio sources can be optimized.

In addition, designers can save memory space in applications such as warning sound generators by using lower sampling frequencies of 8 kHz to 32 kHz.