STMicroelectronics Announces 3A Single-Chip Step-Down DC/DC Converter for Home Appliances and Industrial Equipment
STMicroelectronics has introduced the DCP3603, a compact 3A monolithic step-down DC/DC converter designed to simplify design and reduce board space in smart meters, home appliances, and industrial systems.
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- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 05:11
STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM, hereinafter ST) has announced the "DCP3603," a monolithic step-down DC/DC converter with a small 3 x 1.6mm footprint and a 3A supply capacity. This product contributes to simplified design, reduced board area, shorter development time, and improved system reliability. With a wide input voltage range of 3.3V to 36V, it can be used in applications such as smart meters, home appliances, and industrial 24V equipment.
Adopting a synchronous rectification system and offering a choice of 1MHz or 500kHz fixed switching frequency, the DCP3603 maintains high efficiency across the entire load range, reaching a conversion efficiency of 93% at a 600mA load (12V input / 5V output). Since power switches and compensation functions are built-in, the circuit is completed with only an inductor, bootstrap circuit, filter capacitor, and feedback resistor, allowing for a minimum number of components.
Two variations of the DCP3603 are available. Depending on the application, users can choose between a product with a forced PWM mode setting, which provides optimal performance even in noise-sensitive applications, and a product with a pulse-skipping mode setting, which minimizes power consumption at light loads. Both products implement frequency dithering to reduce noise power generated at the switching frequency, while the extremely low quiescent current of 85µA minimizes total power consumption. Furthermore, additional power savings are possible by turning off the converter using the enable pin.
The dedicated evaluation board "STEVAL-3603BC1" can be used to quickly evaluate new designs featuring the DCP3603. This evaluation board is small and can be easily connected via screw terminals and headers, allowing for immediate operation verification.
The DCP3603 is currently in mass production and is available in a 6-lead SOT23 package. The unit price is approximately $0.44 when purchasing 1,000 units.
Adopting a synchronous rectification system and offering a choice of 1MHz or 500kHz fixed switching frequency, the DCP3603 maintains high efficiency across the entire load range, reaching a conversion efficiency of 93% at a 600mA load (12V input / 5V output). Since power switches and compensation functions are built-in, the circuit is completed with only an inductor, bootstrap circuit, filter capacitor, and feedback resistor, allowing for a minimum number of components.
Two variations of the DCP3603 are available. Depending on the application, users can choose between a product with a forced PWM mode setting, which provides optimal performance even in noise-sensitive applications, and a product with a pulse-skipping mode setting, which minimizes power consumption at light loads. Both products implement frequency dithering to reduce noise power generated at the switching frequency, while the extremely low quiescent current of 85µA minimizes total power consumption. Furthermore, additional power savings are possible by turning off the converter using the enable pin.
The dedicated evaluation board "STEVAL-3603BC1" can be used to quickly evaluate new designs featuring the DCP3603. This evaluation board is small and can be easily connected via screw terminals and headers, allowing for immediate operation verification.
The DCP3603 is currently in mass production and is available in a 6-lead SOT23 package. The unit price is approximately $0.44 when purchasing 1,000 units.