By David Manners 27th June 2018
ST’s STCH03 offline Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) controller combines high integration with accurate constant-current output using primary-side regulation enabling economical mobile chargers, power adapters, or auxiliary supplies to meet stringent eco-design limits for average efficiency and standby power.
At heavier loads, the STCH03 maximizes efficiency by operating in quasi-resonant mode with zero-voltage switching (ZVS) controlled by detecting transformer demagnetization. The detection circuitry also provides for line-voltage feed-forward control, which ensures accurate constant-current regulation.
Maintaining operation at the boundary of continuous (CCM) and discontinuous (DCM) transformer current, the STCH03 limits the converter’s maximum operating frequency to 167kHz depending on line/load conditions, and implements valley-skipping for best efficiency as the load reduces.
Energy-saving features including zero-power high-voltage startup circuitry, as well as low quiescent current and burst-mode switching when the load is very low or disconnected, keep standby power below 10mW to help chargers and adapters meet tough legislation such as the incoming CoC Tier 2 power supply efficiency specifications.
Low peak current eliminates audible noise at light load or no load, and the STCH03 features an innovative adaptive under-voltage lockout (UVLO) to ensure consistent operation at low values of transformer auxiliary bias voltage.
With the advantage of accurate primary-side constant-current regulation, the STCH03 eliminates output-current sensing components, thereby reducing the charger bill of materials (BOM). The integrated startup circuitry, which consumes zero power when inactive, also saves external components.
The STCH03 contains many more features to help save external components and BOM cost, including over-temperature and over-voltage protection (OTP, OVP) with auto-restart or optional latching operation in the STCH03L variant. In addition, soft-start prevents high peak currents at startup, and output under-voltage protection lets the device operate safely in case of an output short-circuit or low output voltage under constant-current control.
The STCH03 is in production now, in the familiar SO-8 package, priced from $0.54 for orders of 1000 pieces.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Download the Elektra Awards 2022 media pack and book your sponsorship package to be part of the most prestigious awards event celebrating its 20th anniversary this year!
Get our news, blogs and comments straight to your inbox! Sign up for the Electronics Weekly newsletters: Mannerisms, Gadget Master and the Daily and Weekly roundups.
Read our special supplement celebrating 60 years of Electronics Weekly and looking ahead to the future of the industry.
Read the Electronics Weekly @ 60 supplement »
Read the first ever Electronics Weekly online: 7th September 1960. We've scanned the very first edition so you can enjoy it.
Read the very first edition »
Electronics Weekly teams up with RS Grass Roots to highlight the brightest young electronic engineers in the UK today.
Read our special supplement celebrating 60 years of Electronics Weekly and looking ahead to the future of the industry.
Read the Electronics Weekly @ 60 supplement »
Read the first ever Electronics Weekly online: 7th September 1960. We've scanned the very first edition so you can enjoy it.
Read the very first edition »
Tune into this Xilinx interview: Responding to platform-based embedded design
Tune into this podcast to hear from Chetan Khona (Director Industrial, Vision, Healthcare & Sciences at Xilinx) about how Xilinx and the semiconductor industry is responding to customer demands.
By using this website you are consenting to the use of cookies. Electronics Weekly is owned by Metropolis International Group Limited, a member of the Metropolis Group; you can view our privacy and cookies policy here.