STMicroelectronics Extends Sound Terminal® Digital Audio System-on-Chip Family, Enabling Stylish New Flat-Panel TV Designs

GENEVA, Aug. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications and a leading supplier of system-on-chip IC's, has released two new Sound Terminal® digital-audio system-on-chip ICs for home-entertainment applications, which will enable smaller new-product designs while also running cooler to help designers meet tough product-safety requirements.

Home-entertainment innovations such as flat-panel TVs and music docks enable consumers to enjoy room-filling audio without needing a roomful of audio equipment. ST's Sound Terminal system-on-chip ICs have taken a leading role in enabling new generations of smaller, slimmer products by combining digital audio processing, speaker drivers and other functions on a single chip. ST's Sound Terminal ICs are now used in about 30% of the flat-panel TVs sold worldwide, based on data from market analyst iSuppli.

The new STA381BW and STA381BWS are optimized for flat-panel TVs and enable designers to reduce pc-board sizes further by consolidating a headphone driver, line-driver output, and an independent digital-to-analog converter (DAC). These functions typically require three additional ICs. The integrated DAC provides an extra analog output that can be connected to the headphone input or to an external circuit, and uses ST's F3X® technology to simplify external filtering. The headphone driver and industry-standard 2Vpp line out, which require no DC blocking capacitors, also save external components and hence maximize reductions in pc-board size and manufacturing costs.

In addition, the STA381BW and STA381BWS deliver best-in-class thermal performance through a combination of high energy efficiency, proprietary ternary PWM modulation and enhanced package design, enabling lower operating temperatures. This simplifies thermal management, helping to ensure that the TV's chassis temperature meets product safety criteria such as UL or CE specifications. The STA381BW and STA381BWS can deliver up to 15W output power (24V, 8ohm load), maintaining the IC's temperature at 55.4 degrees C.

Major features of STA381BW/S:

• I2S and 1Vrms stereo Analog input
• Configurable output power stage (2.0 or 2.1 modes)
• Driving load capabilities:
  • 2 x 20W into 8 ohm ternary modulation
  • 2 x 9W into 4 ohm + 1 x 20W into 8 ohm
• 27V maximum supply voltage (STA381BWS)
• 30V maximum supply voltage (STA381BW)

As members of the Sound Terminal family, the new devices implement digital signal processing and speaker-driver circuitry leveraging ST's Full Flexible Amplification (FFX) technology. FFX combines 2.1-channel audio processing with a digitally controlled class-D power stage operating at up to 94% efficiency. The audio processor also features STSpeakerSafe, STCompressor as well as STSpeakerTune speaker compensation, which boosts audio quality from flat-panel TV speakers while preventing damage due to over-driving.

The STA381BW and STA381BWS are sampling now to lead customers, and are available in the 48-pin VQFN 7 x 7 x 1mm package, priced from $3.00 for the STA381BWS and $4.00 for the STA381BW for 1000-piece orders. Alternative pricing may be available for larger quantities.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing strength. In 2010, the Company's net revenues were $10.35 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com. 

Sound Terminal® is a registered trademark of STMicroelectronics

SOURCE STMicroelectronics