STMicroelectronics (ST), a global semiconductor company, has introduced the 'DCP3603', a 3A power conversion solution suitable for consumer electronics and industrial equipment.

It is a strategic product designed to simultaneously simplify power design and shorten product development time by packing high-efficiency power conversion functions into a fingernail-sized package.

The new product is based on a 3mm × 1.6mm SOT23 6-pin package and can handle a wide range of input voltages from 3.3V up to 36V.

Accordingly, it can be applied to various application devices such as smart meters, home appliances, and industrial 24V systems.

ST explained, “It is a power solution that can reduce design burden and increase reliability in a market where the demand for miniaturization is growing.”

The DCP3603 adopts a synchronous rectification method to minimize power loss.

The switching frequency can be selected between 1 MHz or 500 kHz, and it achieves a maximum efficiency of 93% under a 600 mA load under 12 V input and 5 V output conditions.

Since the power switch and compensation circuit are integrated inside the chip, the circuit configuration is completed by adding only an inductor, bootstrap, filter capacitor, and feedback resistor externally.

This is advantageous for reducing the number of parts, thereby lowering BOM costs and securing PCB space.

ST has prepared two models so that you can choose according to your application.

Forced PWM mode provides stable switching characteristics in noise-sensitive equipment.

Pulse-Skipping mode minimizes power consumption in light-load environments.

Both models support frequency dithering to disperse switching noise, and the standby current is very low at 85μA.

In addition, the overall system power consumption can be further reduced by cutting off the power when necessary through the Enable pin.

ST provides the STEVAL-3603BC1 evaluation board to enable developers to quickly test new products.

Manufactured in the form of a compact board, it operates immediately upon connecting the power terminal, significantly reducing initial verification time.

The DCP3603 is currently in mass production and can be purchased starting at $0.44 per unit for orders of 1,000. Product information is available on the official ST website.