STMicroelectronics introduces highly-integrated step-up DC/DC converter to address blue-laser applications

STMicroelectronics has introduced an innovative step-up DC/DC converter that is the first on the market to feature an output current cut-off function.

ST’s new ST8R00 is ideally suited to supply blue lasers, the new generation of optical data storage, in portable applications, where designers operate under tight constraints in Printed Circuit Board (PCB) area and cost. In demanding applications such as Blu-ray Disc players/recorders, laptops, and game consoles, the ST8R00 allows manufacturers to achieve significant space and cost saving without sacrificing performance.

In portable applications, the step-up converter accepts the typical 5V input voltage and converts it to a higher output voltage to supply blue lasers from 6.5 to 11V, depending on the laser model and whether it is operating in reading or writing mode. Unfortunately, when the device is switched off, even a small current flowing through the laser can damage it, or the whole application. To avoid malfunctioning in the application, designers usually add external components to block current flow in the device, wasting PCB area and increasing overall application cost. So, unlike previous solutions that add an external current cut-off block, the fully integrated ST8R00 includes this feature on a single chip. As a result, the number of external components is reduced and costs are lowered.

Other key features of the ST8R00 include a typical efficiency of 90%, a wide range of output voltages - adjustable from 6V to 12V, an output current up to 1A, and a high switching frequency enabling the device to operate with small and low-cost inductors.

The ST8R00 is housed in a compact DFN4x4-8L package. The device is in full production and is priced at $0.60.

STMicroelectronics