STMicroelectronics Announces Single-Chip Step-Down DC/DC Converter with 3A Capability for Home Appliances and Industrial Equipment
ST announces 3A DC/DC converter
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- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 00:26
STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) has announced the DCP3603, a monolithic step-down DC/DC converter capable of delivering 3A in a compact 3 x 1.6mm footprint. The product simplifies design, reduces board area, shortens development time, and improves system reliability. With a wide input voltage range of 3.3V to 36V, it is suitable for applications such as smart meters, home appliances, and industrial 24V systems.
The DCP3603 uses synchronous rectification and offers selectable fixed switching frequencies of 1MHz or 500kHz, maintaining high efficiency across the full load range — achieving 93% conversion efficiency at 600mA load (12V input / 5V output). With integrated power switches and compensation, the circuit is complete with only an inductor, bootstrap circuit, filter capacitors, and feedback resistors, minimizing component count.
Two variants are available: one in forced PWM mode for optimal performance in noise-sensitive applications, and one in pulse-skipping mode to minimize power consumption at light loads. Both feature frequency dithering to reduce switching noise, an ultra-low quiescent current of 85µA, and an enable pin to shut down the converter for additional power savings.
The dedicated evaluation board STEVAL-3603BC1 allows rapid evaluation of new designs using the DCP3603. Its compact size and easy connections via screw terminals and headers enable immediate operation verification.
The DCP3603 is now in mass production, available in a 6-lead SOT23 package at approximately $0.44 per unit in quantities of 1,000.
The DCP3603 uses synchronous rectification and offers selectable fixed switching frequencies of 1MHz or 500kHz, maintaining high efficiency across the full load range — achieving 93% conversion efficiency at 600mA load (12V input / 5V output). With integrated power switches and compensation, the circuit is complete with only an inductor, bootstrap circuit, filter capacitors, and feedback resistors, minimizing component count.
Two variants are available: one in forced PWM mode for optimal performance in noise-sensitive applications, and one in pulse-skipping mode to minimize power consumption at light loads. Both feature frequency dithering to reduce switching noise, an ultra-low quiescent current of 85µA, and an enable pin to shut down the converter for additional power savings.
The dedicated evaluation board STEVAL-3603BC1 allows rapid evaluation of new designs using the DCP3603. Its compact size and easy connections via screw terminals and headers enable immediate operation verification.
The DCP3603 is now in mass production, available in a 6-lead SOT23 package at approximately $0.44 per unit in quantities of 1,000.