STMicroelectronics Announces Single-Chip Step-Down DC/DC Converter with 3A Capability for Home Appliances and Industrial Equipment

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  • 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 07:00
  • 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 26, 2026 at 21:27 (1382h 26m after Published)

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM, hereafter ST) announced the "DCP3603", a monolithic step-down DC/DC converter with a 3A supply capability in a small 3 x 1.6mm footprint. 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 systems.

Adopting synchronous rectification and capable of selecting a fixed switching frequency of 1MHz or 500kHz, the DCP3603 maintains high efficiency across the entire load range, achieving 93% conversion efficiency at a 600mA load (Input 12V / Output 5V). With built-in power switches and compensation functions, only an inductor, bootstrap circuit, filter capacitor, and feedback resistors are required as additional components to complete the circuit, minimizing the component count.

Two variations of the DCP3603 are available: one with a forced PWM mode setting that delivers optimal performance even in noise-sensitive applications, and another with a pulse-skipping mode setting that minimizes power consumption under light loads. You can choose based on your application. Both products feature frequency dithering to reduce noise power generated at the switching frequency, and an extremely low quiescent current of 85µA to minimize overall power consumption. Further power saving is possible by turning off the converter using the enable pin.

New designs incorporating the DCP3603 can be rapidly evaluated using the dedicated evaluation board, "STEVAL-3603BC1". This evaluation board is compact and can be easily connected via screw terminals and headers, allowing for immediate operational verification.

The DCP3603 is currently in mass production and is offered in a 6-lead SOT23 package. The unit price is approximately $0.44 per unit when purchased in quantities of 1000.

For more details,

FAQ

What is the main function of the newly announced STMicroelectronics product, the DCP3603?

The DCP3603 is a monolithic step-down DC/DC converter with a 3A supply capability, designed to simplify designs and reduce board area in various applications.

What is the input voltage range supported by the DCP3603, and what types of applications is it suitable for?

The DCP3603 supports a wide input voltage range of 3.3V to 36V, making it suitable for applications such as smart meters, home appliances, and industrial 24V systems.

What are the key efficiency figures and switching frequency options for the DCP3603?

The DCP3603 maintains high efficiency across the load range, achieving 93% conversion efficiency at a 600mA load (Input 12V / Output 5V), and offers selectable fixed switching frequencies of 1MHz or 500kHz.

What are the two available variations of the DCP3603, and what are their primary benefits?

The two variations are a forced PWM mode for noise-sensitive applications and a pulse-skipping mode for minimizing power consumption under light loads, allowing users to choose based on their specific application needs.

How can new designs incorporating the DCP3603 be evaluated, and what is the packaging and approximate unit price of the device?

New designs can be evaluated using the dedicated evaluation board, STEVAL-3603BC1. The DCP3603 is offered in a 6-lead SOT23 package with an approximate unit price of $0.44 when purchased in quantities of 1000.

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