Developer insights and tools for designing OBC systems

Electric vehicle adoption faces critical challenges such as range anxiety, charging infrastructure limitations, and system cost. The on-board charger is central to balancing charge time, efficiency, and vehicle cost while meeting diverse charging standards. Additionally, the industry is transitioning from traditional centralized vehicle architectures to zonal architectures, which partitions functions spatially rather than functionally  to reduce wiring complexity, improve scalability, and enhance system integration – factors that directly influence OBC design and implementation.

On-board chargers – from compact single-phase 3.6 kW units to powerful three-phase 22 kW converters – demand exceptional efficiency and unwavering reliability to support fast charging within tight size and weight budgets. Leveraging deep expertise, ST engineers offer tailored development tools and evaluation kits that simplify overcoming common OBC design challenges.
 

Our interactive OBC application page highlights key components and solutions for high-performance designs, including voltage, current, and temperature sensing, power factor correction, thermal management, safety, isolation, communication, and smart charging. Explore the page to access design tips and development kits that help optimize overall system efficiency and accelerate your OBC projects.
 

Discover more on our On-board charger application page.

OBC designs vary from traditional two-stage architectures (PFC + DC-DC boost) to innovative single-stage solutions that improve power density and reduce cost. ST supports multiple topologies including Totem Pole and Vienna rectifiers, leveraging wide bandgap semiconductors for efficiency.

ST’s Stellar SR5E1 MCU offers dual 32-bit ARM Cortex-M7 cores with advanced peripherals like high-resolution timers, ADCs, and PWM units. It supports ASIL-D functional safety, AUTOSAR compliance, and provides the computing power needed for sophisticated control of power electronics in OBCs.

ST’s extensive portfolio includes a wide range of semiconductors and ICs - covering both automotive- and industrial-grade devices. Importantly, all essential products required for on-board charger system design are available as automotive-grade, ensuring compliance with stringent industry standards.

Below is a comprehensive mapping of these key products across digital, analog, and discrete power technologies to support your OBC development journey.

Our engineers share essential tips and tools to help you avoid pitfalls and speed up your on-board charger development.