STMicro HV converters improve efficiency and cut costs

STMicroelectronics’ new VIPer11B off-line high-voltage converters make tiny, efficient, and low-cost power supplies for applications up to 8W, including lighting, smart-home equipment, appliances, and smart meters.

ST’s VIPer11B converters cut the bill of materials through extensive feature integration to simplify circuit design and save external components. The 800V avalanche-rugged MOSFET requires only small snubbing components and a built-in senseFET provides almost lossless current sensing with no additional resistors. High-voltage startup circuitry is on-chip, requiring only an external capacitor for the Vcc supply, and the frequency-jittered oscillator minimizes any external filtering needed to meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations.

Also, being housed in a compact SSOP10 package, the converters deliver power where space is tight. This can be especially valuable in applications that are subject to rigidly defined form factors, such as LED-lighting drivers and smart bulbs. The converters also help meet stringent ecodesign regulations, with low standby current that cuts no-load power consumption to less than 10mW and pulse-skipping operation to boost light-load efficiency.

Flexibility is another strength, with a wide Vcc range that permits supplying the converter from a transformer auxiliary winding or from the output in a non-isolated topology. The VIPer11B can be used in non-isolated flyback, buck, and buck/boost topologies and isolated flyback with primary-side or secondary-side regulation.

Featuring output overload and overvoltage protection with automatic restart, Vcc clamping, thermal shutdown, and soft-start, VIPer11B converters help designers build strong and reliable power supplies. Two variants are available, letting designers select the VIPer113B with drain-current protection threshold of 370mA or the VIPer114B that has a current limit of 480mA.

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