STM's SMPS converters for Intelligent and More Rugged Energy-Saving Power Supplies

The family is ideal for energy-saving power supplies operating from all mains voltages worldwide in home appliances from coffee makers to washing machines and dishwashers, consumer equipment such as LCD TVs, DVD players and set-top boxes, domestic and architectural lighting, auxiliary supplies for desktop PCs and servers, and chargers for mobile phones, digital cameras, portable audio players, toys and cordless appliances such as shavers.

“With its outstanding combination of ruggedness, cost-effectiveness, low standby power and operating efficiency, the expanded VIPerPlus family reinforces our leading position in the power conversion market and demonstrates again ST’s commitment to helping its customers minimize the energy consumption of their products,” said Pietro Menniti, General Manager of the Industrial and Power Conversion Division, STMicroelectronics.

All VIPerPlus devices include the controller, the start-up circuitry and an 800V avalanche-rugged power MOSFET in the package. New integrated functions and high break-down voltage help to improve the robustness and the reliability of the power supplies, reduce the external component count, and provide both higher efficiency in operating mode and an ultra-low standby power consumption that is less than 50mW at 265V and can be reduced to 30mW with optimized transformer design.

The 800V avalanche-rugged power MOSFET is specifically optimized for the VIPerPlus. The fixed-frequency PWM controller with jittering, and the quasi-resonant innovative topology, maximize the efficiency in operating mode while reducing the EMI filter costs. Best-in-class in standby power allows customers to meet the most demanding energy-saving regulations (Energy Star; 80+ Bronze, Silver, Gold), while protection features include accurate, adjustable over-voltage and overload protection, hysteretic over-temperature protection, two levels of over-current protection and open loop failure disconnection.

By integrating a high-voltage startup-current generator as well as essential drain-current control during the converter start-up phase, VIPerPlus eliminates the need for a startup resistor, reduces stress on the secondary diode and helps to prevent transformer saturation. The embedded SenseFET eliminates external sensing components, allowing a precise drain-current limit. Detection of a fault initiates the devices’ auto-restart function, which prevents damage to the power supply or the load.