STMicroelectronics Launches Power Supply IC to Simplify Blu-ray Design

By reducing complexity, component count, and PCB space with a single-chip IC integrating three power supplies,
Size reduction and cost reduction of home and mobile HD products

Korea, December 13, 2010 – As high-definition (HD) video in movies, games, and other entertainment becomes commonplace, pressure to lower Blu-ray prices is increasing. STMicroelectronics ( www.st.com ), a leading supplier of consumer electronics ICs, is responding to these market demands by releasing new chips that reduce the size and lower the unit cost of Blu-ray players and recorders.

The new STODD01 is a power supply IC capable of providing all the voltage required for the player's circuitry operation, including a high-voltage driver for a blue laser that supports HD read/write functions. The STODD01 integrates three power supplies to drive a low-voltage digital IC, analog circuitry, and a laser driver. By utilizing the STODD01, designers can reduce the number of discrete power supplies on the PCB, thereby lowering component costs and complexity while shortening time-to-market and assembly times. Additionally, the reduced board size enables support for next-generation compact set-top boxes, game consoles, PC drives, and portable HD devices.

Each power supply channel of the STODD01 minimizes energy loss and heat generation by utilizing high-efficiency switched mode conversion. Since the STODD01 also provides a true shutdown mode, standby power consumption can be minimized. Therefore, the advantages that HD products can offer to buyers