High-quality PWM digital power amplifier from STMicroelectronics adds 100W per channel capability to full flexible amplification (FFX) family

STMicroelectronics has announced a new digital power amplifier, the STA510F, within its digital power stage family of high-quality single-chip audio solutions, which is capable of driving up to 100 watts per channel of audio into stereo 8-ohm loads. The device will also drive 4 x 50W into 4 ohms, or up to 200W in a mono-aural configuration.

The STA510F is intended particularly to match other family devices that use ST’s proprietary FFX (full flexible amplification) digital modulation technology, but is sufficiently flexible to also accept signals from other drivers using any PWM modulation scheme, such as ternary, phase shift or binary. The amplifier preserves the full audio quality of the PWM input signal, providing a cost-effective output stage for demanding but price-sensitive applications such as home theatre and cinema systems, and mini- and micro-component audio systems.

In addition, the STA510F simplifies design and reduces the bill-of-materials (BOM) cost by integrating the circuitry required for the critical turn-off sequence of the logic- and power-stage power supplies; ST’s patented ‘easy start’ scheme eliminates the requirement for accurate control of the power-down sequence using external circuitry, thus ensuring ease of use for audio system manufacturers, and increased reliability.

The new amplifier is manufactured using ST’s state-of-the-art BiCMOS-DMOS process technology, which allows the integration of DMOS power, Bipolar and CMOS structures on the same chip. It is an ideal companion for the new STA330, a 2.0 channel PWM controller based on ST’s FFX technology, and the STA331, a highly efficient and versatile FFX audio processor coupled with an ARM7TDMI® core.

The FFX family offers high audio quality, lower power dissipation, and reduced manufacturing costs for popular and fast-growing applications such as wireless products, and personal and home audio systems. The high level of integration of these single-package solutions, and their fully digital stream from sound source to loudspeaker, enables the design of cost-effective, high-efficiency, small form-factor sound systems.

“The addition of the STA510F to ST’s audio power stage portfolio is a significant step forward in delivering high-quality digital amplification solutions for home system platforms,” said Andrea Onetti, General Manager of ST’s Audio Division. “And more products in digital amplification will soon be launched by ST to meet the highly demanding audio interface standards required by the Blu-ray and HD-DVD high-definition DVD formats.”

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