STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications and the world’s leading supplier of automotive audio power amplifier chips, has introduced the market’s most powerful and most simple-to-use audio power amplifier for commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses and agricultural vehicles, whose electrical systems run at 24 V rather than the 12 V used in cars.
It is the world’s first audio amplifier that can drive the cabin loudspeakers directly, without any external components, in 24V vehicles, confirming ST’s dedication to the heavy-vehicle segment.
“Millions of drivers of trucks and other heavy vehicles often have to drive long distances with no one else in the cab for company. High-quality audio can help them stay relaxed and focused, but up till now they have usually had to settle for less than the best,” said Luca Celant, Audio & Power Marketing Director, ST’s Automotive Product Group. “Leveraging our worldwide leadership in automotive audio power amplifiers, we have developed a unique product that will allow them to enjoy the same superb audio experience that people expect in the latest cars.”
Audio amplifiers used in automotive systems must be designed to withstand the demanding automotive environment, including a high level of electrical noise and the need to provide comprehensive protection against potential hazards such as short circuits, load dumps, and excessive chip temperature. Audio amplifiers for use in 12V automotive systems have reached a very high level of sophistication, but up till now audio equipment manufacturers have been unable to replicate this performance in 24V systems without using external components that not only drive up the Bill of Materials cost, but can even compromise safety under certain conditions.
ST’s TDA7576B 24V audio amplifier uniquely solves this problem. It is built in a proven high-volume semiconductor manufacturing technology called BCD5 that allows a single chip to include both the power blocks and the signal management blocks – so there is no need to use a more expensive multi-chip approach - and it can sustain a peak supply voltage of 60 V without any damage. The most powerful audio power amplifier for 24V systems available on the market, the TDA7576B has been designed with the same guidelines and care that ST uses for car radio audio power amplifiers, so the final user can enjoy the same high-quality audio as car drivers.
The TDA7576B audio amplifier expands ST’s dedicated portfolio of products for 24V vehicles that includes recently announced chips for exterior and interior lighting.
Key features of the TDA7576B include:
- 24V battery operation;
- High output power (2 x 20 W);
- Minimized external components (no decoupling capacitors, no bootstrap capacitor and no external compensation components);
- Integrated power-saving standby function;
- Diagnostic output pin that alerts the host controller in the event of clipping, short circuits or excessive temperature;
- Output DC offset detection;
- Protection against 60V load dump, excessive chip temperature, ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) and output short circuit to GND, Vcc, or across the load.
The TDA7576B is available now in a compact Multiwatt15 package at a price of US$4 in quantities of 1,000 units.
About STMicroelectronics
ST is a global leader in the semiconductor market serving customers across the spectrum of sense and power technologies and multimedia convergence applications. From energy management and savings to trust and data security, from healthcare and wellness to smart consumer devices, in the home, car and office, at work and at play, ST is found everywhere microelectronics make a positive and innovative contribution to people's life. By getting more from technology to get more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.