STMicroelectronics EVLALTAIR900-M1

Overview

EVLALTAIR900-M1 from STMicroelectronics is an evaluation board for the ALTAIR04-900 - a 900 V avalanche-rugged, all-primary-sensing quasi-resonant flyback controller IC with integrated power MOSFET in SO16N package. It delivers optoless constant voltage (CV) and adjustable mains-independent constant current (CC) regulation, supports <100 mW standby consumption, and targets energy metering SMPS and industrial auxiliary supplies.

For engineers reviewing the EVLALTAIR900-M1 datasheet, EVLALTAIR900-M1 pinout, EVLALTAIR900-M1 application, or EVLALTAIR900-M1 equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of primary-side regulated flyback topologies under real-world line/load conditions including QR, valley-skipping, and burst-mode operation - critical for IEC 62053-compliant metering and 3-phase industrial auxiliary power design.

Technical Context

The EVLALTAIR900-M1 implements a complete off-line flyback reference design centered on the ALTAIR04-900 IC, which integrates a 900 V power MOSFET and low-voltage PWM controller in one SO16N package. Its ZCD/FB pin performs dual functions: transformer demagnetization detection for valley-switching and output voltage sampling for CV regulation via internal 2.5 V reference and transconductance error amplifier.

Operation spans three adaptive modes: quasi-resonant (QR) at heavy load (≤166 kHz max), valley-skipping at light-to-medium load (frequency reduction without loss of valley switching), and controlled burst-mode at no-load (≤500 Hz restart rate). Protection includes hiccup-mode OCP triggered by 1 V VCSdis threshold, UVLO (10.5 V restart), and brownout detection via auxiliary winding disconnection monitoring.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVLALTAIR900-M1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for energy metering SMPS, 3-phase industrial auxiliary power supplies, and AC-DC adapters requiring stable component supply, fast prototyping support, and validated primary-side regulation performance.

Supply support for EVLALTAIR900-M1 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power ICs, analog chips, and discrete devices for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The ALTAIR series targets high-reliability, low-component-count off-line SMPS designs - specifically engineered to eliminate optocouplers and secondary sensing while maintaining ±3% CV accuracy and safe CC limiting across universal AC input ranges.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the EVLALTAIR900-M1 evaluation board?

The EVLALTAIR900-M1 is a fully assembled, tested reference design board that demonstrates the ALTAIR04-900 IC in a 12 V / 0.5 A quasi-resonant flyback configuration. It provides measurable waveforms, thermal performance data, and layout guidance for implementing primary-side regulated power supplies without optocouplers - validated per IEC 61000-3-2 and EN 55022 Class B EMI requirements.

Does the EVLALTAIR900-M1 support both constant voltage and constant current operation?

Yes - it implements both modes using the ALTAIR04-900's dual-loop architecture. Constant voltage is achieved via ZCD/FB pin sampling of auxiliary winding voltage at transformer demagnetization end, referenced to an internal 2.5 V bandgap. Constant current is set externally via capacitor on IREF pin and remains independent of input voltage due to line feed-forward through the same ZCD/FB path.

How does the board achieve ultra-low standby power?

It leverages the ALTAIR04-900's integrated high-voltage start-up generator (5.5 mA typical charge current), burst-mode operation (400–700 µs restart timer), and sub-1.4 mA quiescent current. At no-load, the IC enters controlled on/off cycles with fixed peak drain current, reducing average switching losses and enabling compliance with Energy Star® and EU CoC Tier 2 standby limits (<100 mW).

Can the EVLALTAIR900-M1 be used for 3-phase industrial auxiliary supply design?

Yes - its 85–265 VAC input range, 900 V avalanche-rated power section, and robust protection suite (including transformer saturation and secondary diode short detection) make it suitable for auxiliary rails in 3-phase motor drives, PLCs, and energy meters. The board's SO16N layout with copper under drain pins ensures thermal reliability at 50 °C ambient with natural convection cooling.