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Home > Products > Integrated Circuits (ICs) > Power Management (PMIC) > LED Drivers

STMicroelectronics STCF03TBR

Name: STCF03TBR
Brand: STMicroelectronics
SKU: STCF03TBR
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: STCF03TBR

Manufacturer:: STMicroelectronics

Category:: LED Drivers

Package:: 25-TFBGA

Datasheet:: STCF03TBR.pdf

Description:: IC LED DRVR RGLTR I2C 25TFBGA

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Product details

Overview

STCF03TBR from STMicroelectronics is a high-efficiency buck-boost DC-DC LED driver IC for single-power white LED flash applications in mobile devices. It delivers up to 800 mA flash current (at 3.3–5.5 V input) and 200 mA torch current, features full I²C control, 1.8 MHz fixed-frequency PWM, and integrated LED overtemperature/short/open protection. Used in smartphone camera strobes with NTC-based thermal management.

For engineers reviewing the STCF03TBR datasheet, STCF03TBR pinout, STCF03TBR application, or STCF03TBR equivalent, key selection criteria include its TFBGA25 (3 × 3 mm) package, I²C-programmable flash/torch dimming (16 exponential steps), dual-mode operation (flash/torch), auxiliary red LED output, and battery-voltage-agnostic buck-boost regulation from 2.7 V to 5.5 V.

Technical Context

The STCF03TBR implements a synchronous buck-boost topology that automatically transitions between buck, boost, and buck-boost modes based on LED forward voltage versus battery voltage - ensuring stable 800 mA flash current across 2.7–5.5 V input. Regulation relies on dual feedback (FB1/FB2) sensing via external RFL (0.27 Ω) and RTR (1.8 Ω) resistors to maintain precise current accuracy (±10%).

Its I²C interface (SCL/SDA) supports four slave addresses via ADD pin, enabling multi-device configuration. Functional modes - shutdown, ready + auxiliary LED, flash, and torch - are controlled via register writes (e.g., PWR_ON, TRIG_EN, F_RUN) and hardware pins (TRIG, TMSK, ATN), with soft/hard flash triggering and digitally programmable safety time-out.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
Topology	Synchronous buck-boost converter - maintains regulated LED current regardless of battery sag or LED V_F variation.
Max Flash Current	800 mA at V_IN = 3.3–5.5 V - sufficient for high-intensity camera flash in smartphones.
Torch Current Range	15–200 mA - adjustable via I²C for video recording illumination with low power draw.
Switching Frequency	1.8 MHz typical - enables compact external components (4.7 µH inductor, 0603 capacitors).
Efficiency	87% (chip only), 76% (full application) at 800 mA flash - minimizes thermal load and extends battery life.
I²C Interface	Standard two-wire bus with 4 selectable addresses - reduces PCB routing complexity and supports multi-LED systems.
Protection Features	LED open/short detection, chip overtemperature (140 °C), NTC-based LED overtemperature, programmable flash timeout - ensures system reliability under fault conditions.

Pinout & Package

STCF03TBR is housed in a 25-ball TFBGA package (3 × 3 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with an exposed thermal pad connected to PGND. Pin functions are validated per ST's official pin description table (Doc ID 13169 Rev 7, Table 2) and bottom-view layout (Figure 2).

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
PVBAT / VBAT	Main power supply input	Accepts 2.7–5.5 V Li-ion battery; powers internal circuitry and high-current switching path.
VLX1A / VLX1B / VLX2	Inductor connection terminals	Interface with external 4.7 µH coupled inductor; VLX1A/VLX1B form primary winding, VLX2 is secondary.
VOUT	LED anode output	Delivers regulated current to flash LED cathode via RFL; voltage range 2.5–5.3 V.
FB1 / FB2 / FB2S	Current-sense feedback inputs	FB1 monitors total LED current (I_LED × (RFL + RTR)); FB2/FB2S sense RFL-only drop for precision regulation.
SCL / SDA	I²C serial interface	Enable full digital control of mode, dimming, timeout, and status readback; require external 3.0 V pull-ups.
TRIG	Hardware flash trigger	Active-high input that initiates flash when ANDed with TRIG_EN register bit - supports precise timing independent of I²C latency.
TMSK	RF transmission mask	Active-high signal that forces immediate flash current reduction during cellular TX - prioritizes RF power over illumination.
ATN	Attention interrupt output	Open-drain active-low flag signaling faults (LED open/short, overtemp, OVP) to host processor.
AUXL	Auxiliary red LED driver	Provides 0–20 mA current for status indicator (e.g., recording light); dimmable via AUXI/AUXT registers.
NTC	External thermistor input	Connects to 100 kΩ NTC (e.g., Murata NCP21WF104J03RA) for LED temperature monitoring and thermal derating.
ADD	I²C address select	Binary input (GND/V_IN/SDA/SCL) sets one of four slave addresses - enables multiple STCF03TBRs on same bus.
PGND / GND	Power and signal ground	Separate PGND (pins E1/E5/C3/D3) and GND (pin E2) minimize noise coupling into sensitive analog feedback paths.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Dual-mode LED current control	Independent 16-step exponential dimming for flash (60–800 mA) and torch (15–200 mA) - enables consistent brightness scaling across intensity ranges.
Hardware-triggered flash	TRIG pin + TRIG_EN register enable sub-microsecond flash activation - eliminates I²C bus contention during critical capture timing.
RF-aware current throttling	TMSK pin forces immediate flash current reduction during cellular transmission - preserves battery headroom for RF PA without software intervention.
Programmable flash safety timeout	Digitally settable 0.5–8 s timeout (FTIM_0–3 registers) - prevents LED damage from erroneous host commands or firmware hangs.
Integrated fault diagnostics	ATN pin asserts on LED open/short, chip overtemperature (140 °C), or output overvoltage (5.3 V) - enables real-time system-level error handling.
Thermal-aware LED protection	NTC input supports external 100 kΩ thermistor; enables dynamic flash current derating based on LED junction temperature - extends LED lifetime.

Applications

Smartphone Camera Flash

Digital Still Camera Strobe

Use Scenario: High-intensity illumination for low-light photo capture in compact mobile handsets with single-cell Li-ion batteries.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary flash LED driver providing 800 mA regulated current with <2 ms LED rise time and hardware-triggered activation.

Use Value: Enables consistent flash output despite battery voltage decay from 4.2 V to 3.0 V, while maintaining <10% current tolerance via dual feedback sensing.

Use Scenario: Synchronized strobe lighting for DSLR/mirrorless camera accessories requiring precise flash duration and intensity control.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standalone flash controller interfacing with camera MCU via I²C to configure flash mode, dimming, and safety timeout.

Use Value: Eliminates need for discrete MOSFETs and op-amps by integrating buck-boost regulation, current sensing, and protection - reducing BOM count by ≥7 components.

Video Recording Torch Light

Mobile Device Status Indicator

Use Scenario: Continuous low-power illumination during HD video capture in smartphones and tablets.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Torch-mode LED driver delivering 200 mA with 16-step exponential dimming and thermal foldback.

Use Value: Provides flicker-free, color-stable illumination with <1.8 mA quiescent current in ready mode - extending runtime during extended video sessions.

Use Scenario: Dual-color status feedback (white flash + red auxiliary) in portable medical or industrial handheld devices.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Auxiliary LED driver (AUXL) supplying 0–20 mA to red indicator LED, independently dimmable via I²C.

Use Value: Replaces discrete LED driver IC or GPIO + current-limiting resistor - saves PCB area and enables synchronized blink patterns with flash events.

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-efficiency LED flash driver applications.

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
LM3644TME/NOPB	Single-inductor buck-boost architecture; 1.5 MHz switching; max 1.5 A flash current; no NTC input; uses single FB pin.	Lacks integrated NTC-based LED thermal protection and separate torch/flash dimming registers - requires external thermal management.	Preferred where higher peak current (>800 mA) is needed and thermal monitoring is handled externally or omitted.
TPS61310DSKR	Boost-only topology; 2.5 MHz switching; max 1.2 A flash current; analog/digital dimming; no I²C interface - uses EN/TRIG pins only.	No register-based configuration or fault reporting; limited to fixed or GPIO-controlled modes - less flexible for complex UI-driven flash behavior.	Chosen when system-level simplicity and minimal firmware overhead outweigh need for diagnostics and programmability.

Compared with LM3644TME/NOPB and TPS61310DSKR, STCF03TBR uniquely combines I²C configurability, NTC-based thermal protection, and hardware-triggered flash in a 3 × 3 mm TFBGA - making it optimal for space-constrained, thermally demanding smartphone designs requiring robust fault handling.

Availability

STCF03TBR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone camera modules, digital still camera strobes, mobile video torch systems, and portable medical imaging devices requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for STCF03TBR 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 management ICs, sensors, and analog products for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

The STCF03 belongs to ST's LED lighting driver product line, engineered specifically for high-efficiency, thermally robust flash illumination in battery-powered portable electronics - emphasizing integration, protection, and I²C programmability.

FAQ

What is the maximum flash current supported by STCF03TBR at 3.0 V input?

At 3.0 V input, STCF03TBR delivers up to 600 mA flash current - verified per datasheet Table 6 (Flash mode for VI = 2.7 V to 3.3 V). This limitation arises from reduced headroom for boost operation; performance recovers to 800 mA above 3.3 V input due to improved efficiency and duty-cycle margin.

How does the TMSK pin interact with flash current regulation?

The TMSK pin is a dedicated hardware input that, when asserted high, forces immediate reduction of flash current to a preconfigured safe level (typically ≤200 mA) - independent of I²C register state. This allows concurrent RF transmission without software intervention, preserving battery capacity for the power amplifier.

Can STCF03TBR drive LEDs with forward voltages exceeding 5.3 V?

No. The STCF03TBR's regulated output voltage range is strictly 2.5–5.3 V (Table 6), enforced by internal OVP circuitry (5.3 V threshold, 0.3 V hysteresis). Driving LEDs with V_F > 5.3 V would trigger overvoltage protection and disable output - requiring external boost stage or alternative driver.

Is the auxiliary LED output (AUXL) capable of driving standard 20 mA red LEDs directly?

Yes. AUXL provides 0–20 mA sink current with ±10% accuracy (per datasheet Table 6), supporting common 2 V_F red LEDs at 3.3 V supply. No external current-setting resistor is required - current is digitally programmed via AUXI_0–3 registers and scaled exponentially for smooth dimming.

STCF03TBR Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: STMicroelectronics

Series:: -

Package/Case:: 25-TFBGA

Packaging:: Tape & Reel (TR)

Product Status:: Obsolete

Type:: DC DC Regulator

Topology:: Step-Down (Buck), Step-Up (Boost)

Internal Switch(s):: Yes

Number of Outputs:: 1

Voltage - Supply (Min):: 2.7V

Voltage - Supply (Max):: 5.5V

Voltage - Output:: 2.5V ~ 5.3V

Current - Output / Channel:: 800mA (Flash)

Frequency:: 1.8MHz

Dimming:: I2C

Applications:: Camera Flash

Operating Temperature:: -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:: 25-TFBGA (3x3)

STCF03TBR FAQ

1.How can I place an order for STCF03TBR through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for STCF03TBR on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.

2.Are the price and stock information for STCF03TBR reliable?

The price and inventory of STCF03TBR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for STCF03TBR is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for STCF03TBR?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for STCF03TBR transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for STCF03TBR?

STCF03TBR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your STCF03TBR order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.

Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.

5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for STCF03TBR?

For technical support, including STCF03TBR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your STCF03TBR requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that STCF03TBR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All STCF03TBR products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that STCF03TBR meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of STCF03TBR?

All STCF03TBR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with STCF03TBR, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:

1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.

2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.

3.The STCF03TBR part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for STCF03TBR:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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