STMicroelectronics STEVAL-CCA025V1

Overview

STEVAL-CCA025V1 from STMicroelectronics is a Class G capless stereo headphone amplifier demonstration board built around the TS4621E IC, featuring I²C-controlled digital volume (-60 dB to +4 dB), 0.006% THD+N at 1 kHz, 100 dB PSRR at 217 Hz, and integrated high-efficiency buck converter for dual-supply generation. It enables rapid evaluation of low-power, capacitorless audio output in portable media players and USB DAC accessories.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-CCA025V1 datasheet, STEVAL-CCA025V1 pinout, STEVAL-CCA025V1 application, or STEVAL-CCA025V1 equivalent, this board provides full hardware/software control via RS-232-to-I²C bridge, real-time register access, independent channel enable, and zero-pop startup-critical for portable audio design validation and firmware integration testing.

Technical Context

The board implements the TS4621E's differential-input, capless Class G architecture with internal negative supply generation, eliminating external DC-blocking capacitors. Its on-board buck converter delivers regulated ±2.5 V rails from a single 2.3–4.8 V input, enabling >90% power efficiency at 100 µW/channel output.

Control is fully I²C-based (7-bit address 0x44), supporting dynamic gain adjustment, mute/standby sequencing, and status register readback. The RS-232 interface uses MAX3232-level translation and is preconfigured for 9600 baud, 8N1, allowing direct PC command-line or GUI-driven evaluation without additional hardware.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-CCA025V1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable media player development, USB-C audio adapter reference design, and Bluetooth receiver audio stage validation requiring stable component supply and full-feature evaluation capability.

Supply support for STEVAL-CCA025V1 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, analog ICs, MEMS, and power solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The STEVAL-CCA025V1 belongs to ST's Audio Evaluation Board product line, engineered specifically to accelerate adoption of their low-power, capless headphone amplifiers in space-constrained, battery-operated audio endpoints.

FAQ

Does STEVAL-CCA025V1 require external programming hardware?

No. The board includes an on-board RS-232-to-I²C interface using a MAX3232 transceiver. Users connect directly to a PC's serial port (or USB-to-serial adapter) and use ST-provided Windows software for full register control-no JTAG, SWD, or external programmer is needed.

Can the TS4621E on this board drive 600 Ω headphones?

Yes. The TS4621E delivers 45 mW into 16 Ω and maintains ≥15 mW into 600 Ω at 1% THD+N. The board's layout and decoupling support full output swing under high-impedance loads, verified per ST's characterization data in the TS4621E datasheet.

Is the buck converter output adjustable?

No. The onboard buck converter is fixed at ±2.5 V output, optimized for the TS4621E's internal charge pump and rail-splitting architecture. Output voltage is not user-adjustable; it is set by factory-trimmed feedback resistors per the TS4621E reference design.

What audio input types does STEVAL-CCA025V1 accept?

The board accepts differential analog inputs only, routed to the TS4621E's INL+/INL− and INR+/INR− pins. Single-ended sources must be converted externally; no on-board instrumentation amplifiers or level shifters are included for SE-to-diff conversion.