STMicro audio power amplifier delivers 200W

STMicroelectronics has developed a single-chip audio power amplifier that delivers 200W.

The STA5150 amplifier combines the BASH high-efficiency technology licensed from Indigo Mfg with the company's Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) process technology. Each device includes a 200W audio power amplifier channel that is mainly used in multi-channel multimedia audio systems such as the 5.1 channel surround sound commonly used in A/V receivers.

Other BASH-equipped audio power amplifiers available include the 2x100 STA575, 2x70W STA550 and STA530, a quad amplifier fully configurable from 4x50W to 2x50W+ 1x100W. The products are used in conjunction with a digital processor (STABP01) that is the controller for a buck (step-down) converter and implements the BASH supply voltage variation technique by using a reference feedback signal derived from the power amplifier stage.

Merging the benefits of class AB and class D, the BASH technology uses DMOS power transistors operated in class AB mode, reducing the EMI and distortion typical of class D switching amplifiers.