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STMicroelectronics STCF04TBR
- Part No.:
- STCF04TBR
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- LED Drivers
- Package:
- 25-TFBGA
- Datasheet:
-
STCF04TBR.pdf
- Description:
- IC LED DRIVER RGLTR 1.5A 25TFBGA
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:3,458
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Product details
Overview
STCF04TBR from STMicroelectronics is a dedicated high-efficiency buck-boost LED driver IC for SuperCap™-based camera flash systems, featuring I²C programmability, 1.5 A peak current limiting, synchronous rectification, and integrated SuperCap voltage balancing. It supports Flash mode (up to 320 mA), Torch mode (320 mA max), and monitoring of external NTC for LED overtemperature protection in smartphones and digital cameras.
For engineers reviewing the STCF04TBR datasheet, STCF04TBR pinout, STCF04TBR application, or STCF04TBR equivalent, key selection considerations include its 2.5–5.5 V input range, I²C-controlled torch dimming (12 exponential steps), flash safety timeout, active SuperCap balancing, and TFBGA25 (3 × 3 mm) package compatibility with space-constrained mobile camera modules.
Technical Context
The STCF04TBR integrates a synchronous buck-boost DC-DC converter optimized for charging and discharging a single SuperCap to drive high-current white LEDs. Its state machine supports five operational modes-Shutdown, Monitoring, Idle, Flash, and Torch-with hard/soft triggering and digitally programmable safety timeouts for both Flash and Torch modes.
It implements full I²C register control (7 registers including CMD_REG, FL_REG, TRCH_REG, STAT_REG), real-time SuperCap status flag via READY pin, and dual-path sensing: ISENS for flash current regulation and NTC for thermal protection. The internal oscillator and time counter enable precise timing without external components.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Input Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V - enables direct operation from Li-ion battery (3.0–4.2 V) or USB-powered systems without pre-regulation. |
| Peak Switch Current Limit | 1.5 A - sets maximum inductor current during boost phase to protect MOSFET and SuperCap during high-current flash discharge. |
| Flash Mode Output Current | Up to 320 mA - programmable in 8 discrete steps for controlled strobe intensity in camera applications. |
| Torch Mode Output Current | Up to 320 mA - adjustable in 12 exponential steps for smooth brightness ramping in video lighting. |
| SuperCap Charging Voltage | Programmable up to 5.5 V - ensures full energy storage while avoiding overvoltage stress on 5.5 V-rated supercapacitors. |
| I²C Address Options | 4 slave addresses (via ADD pin logic) - allows multiple STCF04TBR devices on same bus for multi-camera or auxiliary LED configurations. |
| Thermal Protection | Junction shutdown at 150 °C - prevents permanent damage during sustained high-power operation or ambient temperature excursions. |
Pinout & Package
STCF04TBR is housed in a TFBGA25 package (3 mm × 3 mm, 1 mm height) with 25 solder balls arranged in a 5×5 grid. The package supports fine-pitch PCB assembly and thermal dissipation via exposed die back connected to PGND pins (C2, D2).
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VLX1 / VLX2 | Buck-boost inductor connections | Interface to external power inductor; VLX1 is high-side switch node, VLX2 is low-side synchronous rectifier node. |
| VOUT | SuperCap anode connection | Primary output node for SuperCap charging/discharging; regulates voltage up to 5.5 V under I²C control. |
| VMID | SuperCap mid-point sensing | Enables active voltage balancing across series-connected SuperCap cells to prevent overvoltage on individual units. |
| DRIVE | External MOSFET gate driver | High-current push-pull driver for external N-channel MOSFET (e.g., STL8NH3LL) controlling LED flash path. |
| LED | LED cathode return path | Current-sink node for white LED module; connects to cathode side of flash LED string. |
| ISENS | Flash current sense input | Monitors voltage drop across external sense resistor to regulate flash current with ±5% accuracy. |
| NTC | NTC thermistor interface | Analog input for external 100 kΩ NTC; enables LED overtemperature detection and automatic current reduction or shutdown. |
| SCL / SDA | I²C serial interface | Standard two-wire bus for configuration, status readback, and mode control; supports 400 kHz fast-mode operation. |
| READY | SuperCap status flag | Open-drain output signaling SuperCap charge sufficiency; asserted LOW when VOUT falls below threshold during flash. |
| FLASH / TORCH | Hardware trigger inputs | Asynchronous edge-triggered inputs enabling immediate mode activation independent of I²C bus activity. |
| RESET | Active-low reset input | Forces device into Shutdown mode and clears internal registers; requires >1 µs pulse width for reliable assertion. |
| ATN | Attention interrupt output | Open-drain signal indicating fault conditions (e.g., overtemperature, shorted LED, SuperCap undervoltage). |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Burst mode operation | Reduces quiescent current to <10 µA when SuperCap is fully charged, extending standby battery life in always-on camera modules. |
| Digital safety timeout | Programmable Flash mode duration (100 ms–1.6 s) and Torch mode duration (1–120 s) prevent LED thermal runaway from firmware errors. |
| Active SuperCap balancing | Monitors VMID voltage and adjusts charge distribution between series-connected SuperCap cells to maintain ≤5% voltage imbalance. |
| Shorted LED detection | Identifies LED short-circuit failure by comparing DRIVE gate voltage and LED node voltage; disables output and asserts ATN. |
| Torch dimming resolution | 12 exponential current steps provide perceptually linear brightness control from 1 mA to 320 mA using only 4-bit register writes. |
Applications
| Smartphone Camera Flash | Digital Still Camera Strobe |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: High-intensity single or multi-pulse flash illumination synchronized with image capture in compact mobile phones. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary SuperCap charger and flash current controller; manages burst-mode charging, hardware-triggered flash pulses, and READY-flag-based flash readiness validation. Use Value: Enables consistent 320 mA flash output across 3.0–4.2 V battery range while maintaining <10 µA standby current and preventing SuperCap overvoltage. |
Use Scenario: Programmable strobe lighting for DSLR/mirrorless camera accessories requiring precise flash duration and intensity control. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: I²C-configurable flash driver supporting externally timed multi-flash sequences and internal safety timeout enforcement. Use Value: Delivers repeatable 8-step flash dimming and 100 ms–1.6 s programmable flash duration without external timing circuitry. |
| Front-Facing Video Torch | Multi-LED Auxiliary Lighting |
|
Use Scenario: Continuous white LED illumination for front-facing video calls and facial recognition in low-light conditions. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Torch mode current regulator with 12-step exponential dimming and thermal foldback via NTC feedback. Use Value: Provides flicker-free, thermally stable 1–320 mA torch current with automatic derating above 60 °C to protect LEDs and housing plastics. |
Use Scenario: Red auxiliary LED activation for status indication or light-sensor calibration in camera modules with dual-color capability. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: AUXLED driver controlled via separate I²C register (AUX_REG), supporting independent timing and current settings. Use Value: Allows concurrent white flash and red status LED operation without shared current path or interference, using dedicated AUXLED pin and drive circuitry. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar LED flash driver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| LM3644TME/NOPB | Single-inductor buck-boost architecture; no VMID pin or SuperCap balancing; supports dual-flash LED strings. | Lacks active SuperCap cell balancing and mid-point sensing; requires external voltage monitor for multi-cell stacks. | Preferred when driving two independent flash LEDs or when SuperCap balancing is handled externally. |
| TPS61310DSKR | Boost-only topology; fixed 1.5 A current limit; no I²C interface - configured via external resistors and EN pin logic. | Cannot operate below battery voltage; unsuitable for partial-discharge SuperCap use cases requiring buck capability. | Select when system uses dedicated flash capacitor charged separately and only needs boost-stage current regulation. |
Compared with LM3644TME/NOPB and TPS61310DSKR, STCF04TBR uniquely combines buck-boost conversion, integrated SuperCap balancing, and I²C-programmable safety timeouts - making it the only solution qualified for single-chip SuperCap-based flash in space-constrained smartphone designs requiring guaranteed cell-level voltage control.
Availability
STCF04TBR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone camera modules, digital still camera strobes, and front-facing video torch systems requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and automotive-grade reliability screening.
Supply support for STCF04TBR 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 industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.
The STCF04 belongs to ST's LED lighting and display driver product line, engineered specifically for high-efficiency, space-optimized flash solutions in battery-powered imaging devices using SuperCap technology.
FAQ
What is the function of the VMID pin on STCF04TBR?
The VMID pin connects to the midpoint of a series-connected SuperCap stack to enable active voltage balancing. The IC continuously monitors VMID relative to VOUT and adjusts charge distribution to maintain ≤5% voltage imbalance across cells, preventing overvoltage failure in multi-cell configurations.
How does STCF04TBR handle LED overtemperature protection?
STCF04TBR uses an external NTC thermistor connected to the NTC pin to monitor LED junction temperature. When the sensed resistance drops below threshold (indicating >60 °C), the IC reduces torch current or shuts down flash mode and asserts the ATN pin to signal thermal fault to the host processor.
Can STCF04TBR drive LEDs without a SuperCap?
No - STCF04TBR is architecturally designed for SuperCap-based flash systems. Its buck-boost converter regulates VOUT to charge the SuperCap, and the DRIVE pin controls an external MOSFET to discharge stored energy through the LED. Direct LED driving from battery is not supported.
What is the purpose of the READY pin?
READY is an open-drain status flag that goes LOW when SuperCap voltage (VOUT) falls below the programmed threshold during flash discharge. Host processors use this signal to verify sufficient stored energy before triggering flash, preventing weak or failed illumination events.
STCF04TBR Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Series:
- SuperCap™
- 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):
- 2.5V
- Voltage - Supply (Max):
- 5.5V
- Voltage - Output:
- 4.5V ~ 5.5V
- Current - Output / Channel:
- 1.5A (Switch)
- Frequency:
- 1.8MHz
- Dimming:
- -
- Applications:
- Camera Flash
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 25-TFBGA (3x3)
STCF04TBR FAQ
1.How can I place an order for STCF04TBR through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for STCF04TBR 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 STCF04TBR reliable?
The price and inventory of STCF04TBR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for STCF04TBR is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for STCF04TBR?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for STCF04TBR transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for STCF04TBR?
STCF04TBR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your STCF04TBR 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 STCF04TBR?
For technical support, including STCF04TBR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your STCF04TBR requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that STCF04TBR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All STCF04TBR 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 STCF04TBR meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of STCF04TBR?
All STCF04TBR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with STCF04TBR, 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 STCF04TBR part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for STCF04TBR:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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