STMicroelectronics introduces Configurable Vehicle gauge microcontroller power management IC

     ST has introduced a flexible vehicle gauge power management chip for highly integrated processors such as the Stellar Vehicle gauge microcontroller, allowing users to set the power-on sequence and tune output voltage and current values according to system requirements. The new SPSB100 can be used in vehicle electrical systems, area control units (ZCU), vehicle control platforms (VCP), body control (BCM) and gateway modules.

     The new PMIC chip will have two default factory configurations and can be configured in a full range of subsequent configurations: SPSB100B, which directly supplies power to the microcontroller core, and SPSB100P, which drives the switching power supply inside the microcontroller. The SPSB100 is equipped with three switching step-down power converters and two linear regulators (Ldos) to provide the required voltage rail to the system microcontroller, as well as power to external peripheral loads and sensors. In addition, the new product has two wake inputs and advanced fail-safe features. The internal boost controller stabilizes the supply voltage under voltage transients such as cold start pulses, start/stop operations, and low battery power.

     The SPSB100's three step-down power converters feature overcurrent detection and current-limiting safety protection, internal soft start to prevent excessive surge current, and two of the converters provide up to 3A output current at optional output voltages of 3.3V, 5V or 6.5V. The third converter can deliver up to 6A at 3.3V, 1.25V, 1.2V, 1.1V or 0.98V. In the two LDO regulators, one is a 5V fixed output voltage, the maximum output current is 120mA, and the voltage accuracy is 2%. The second can be set to follow the 3.3 V or 5V voltage of the buck converter. The new product also has a built-in high side driver that provides open load and overcurrent diagnostics.

     Among other functions, internal non-volatile memory (NVM) is used to store output voltage values and power-on sequence parameters; The SPI port is a code burning interface that supports control and diagnostic functions, allowing designers to use it for a variety of electrical platforms that require different power rails and peripherals. The SPSB100 has a deep sleep mode with a static current below 40µA. There are also special fault communication interrupt pins, reset microcontroller pins, overheating warning protection functions. For functional safety applications that must meet the requirements of the ISO 26262 Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL), ST provides technical documentation.