STMicroelectronics Announces 3A Single-Chip Buck DC/DC Converter for Home Appliances and Industrial Equipment
STMicroelectronics has announced the DCP3603, a monolithic 3A buck DC/DC converter in a small 3 x 1.6mm footprint. It simplifies design, reduces board space, and shortens development time for applications like smart meters, home appliances, and industrial 24V systems. The device is highly efficient, requires minimal external components, and is available in two versions for either noise-sensitive applications or light-load efficiency.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 05:11
STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) has announced the DCP3603, a monolithic buck DC/DC converter with a 3A supply capability in a small 3 x 1.6mm footprint. The product contributes to simplifying design, reducing board area, shortening development time, and improving system reliability. With a wide input voltage range from 3.3V to 36V, it can be used in applications such as smart meters, consumer electronics, and industrial 24V systems.
Adopting a synchronous rectification method and offering a choice of 1MHz or 500kHz fixed switching frequencies, the DCP3603 maintains high efficiency across the entire load range, reaching a conversion efficiency of 93% at a 600mA load (12V input / 5V output). With an integrated power switch and compensation function, the circuit is completed with only an inductor, bootstrap circuit, filter capacitors, and feedback resistors, minimizing the number of external components.
Two variations of the DCP3603 are available. Customers can choose between a version with a forced PWM mode setting for optimal performance in noise-sensitive applications, and a version with a pulse-skipping mode setting that minimizes power consumption under light loads. Both products implement frequency dithering to reduce noise power generated by the switching frequency, and minimize total power consumption with an extremely low quiescent current of 85µA. Further power savings can be achieved by turning off the converter using the enable pin.
New designs incorporating the DCP3603 can be quickly evaluated using the dedicated evaluation board, the STEVAL-3603BC1. This compact evaluation board allows for easy connection via screw terminals and headers, enabling immediate operational verification.
The DCP3603 is currently in mass production and is available in a 6-lead SOT23 package. The price is approximately $0.44 per unit for an order of 1000 pieces.
Adopting a synchronous rectification method and offering a choice of 1MHz or 500kHz fixed switching frequencies, the DCP3603 maintains high efficiency across the entire load range, reaching a conversion efficiency of 93% at a 600mA load (12V input / 5V output). With an integrated power switch and compensation function, the circuit is completed with only an inductor, bootstrap circuit, filter capacitors, and feedback resistors, minimizing the number of external components.
Two variations of the DCP3603 are available. Customers can choose between a version with a forced PWM mode setting for optimal performance in noise-sensitive applications, and a version with a pulse-skipping mode setting that minimizes power consumption under light loads. Both products implement frequency dithering to reduce noise power generated by the switching frequency, and minimize total power consumption with an extremely low quiescent current of 85µA. Further power savings can be achieved by turning off the converter using the enable pin.
New designs incorporating the DCP3603 can be quickly evaluated using the dedicated evaluation board, the STEVAL-3603BC1. This compact evaluation board allows for easy connection via screw terminals and headers, enabling immediate operational verification.
The DCP3603 is currently in mass production and is available in a 6-lead SOT23 package. The price is approximately $0.44 per unit for an order of 1000 pieces.