STMicroelectronics reveals monolithic automotive synchronous buck converters for light-load, low-noise, and isolated applications

STMicroelectronics has introduced new automotive-qualified step-down synchronous DC/DC converters that save space and ease integration in applications including body electronics, audio systems, and inverter gate drivers.

The A6983 converters offer flexible design choices, comprising six non-isolated step-down converters in low-consumption and low-noise configurations and the A6983I isolated buck converter. With compensation circuitry on-chip, these highly integrated monolithic devices need only minimal external components including filtering, feedback, and a transformer with the A6983I.

The non-isolated A6983 converters can supply up to 3A load current and achieve 88% typical efficiency at full load. The low-consumption variants (A6983C) are optimized for light-load operation, with high efficiency and low output ripple, to minimize drain on the vehicle battery in applications that remain active when parked. The low-noise A6983N variants operate with constant switching frequency and minimize output ripple across the load range for optimum performance in applications such as audio-system power supplies. Both types offer a choice of 3.3V, 5.0V, and adjustable output voltage from 0.85V to Vin (more info).