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Automotive Class-AB audio power amplifiers

ST offers a complete portfolio of automotive class-AB audio amplifiers designed to deliver clean, powerful sound with the robustness and efficiency required in modern vehicles. Our portfolio includes class SB (Single-ended Bridge), SB-I (SB improved), and class-G (with embedded buck controller) audio amplifiers.

These high-efficiency classes can reduce power dissipation by up to 50% compared to standard class-AB, simplifying thermal management in current power sets. ST also offers digital input amplifiers for clean sound that is immune to external interference, with direct connection to the DSP output without signal conversion.

Benefits

  • High audio quality for clear, powerful sound
  • Improved efficiency with class-SB, SB-I, and class-G options
  • Lower heat dissipation to help simplify thermal management
  • Flexible integration from single- to quad-channel solutions
  • Strong automotive robustness with protection against short circuits, ESD, load dump, and over-temperature
  • Support for low-impedance speakers, down to 1 Ω
  • Compatibility with start-stop and hybrid vehicles
  • Optional digital input and I²C diagnostics for easier system integration and monitoring

ST's complete family of “intelligent” analog automotive power amplifiers

ST offers a complete range of intelligent analog power amplifiers for automotive audio systems.

What makes these power amplifiers "intelligent" is their reliable diagnostics array that detects the status of each speaker and can identify any failure or speaker disconnection. Two- or four-channel versions with different power levels and features, like the automatic offset control, are available. The new generation has very high efficiency (class SB, class SB-I), consuming less than a standard class AB, a valid alternative to class D power amplifiers. Furthermore, ST is the only company offering an automotive analog power amplifier with a digital input. All our amplifiers are compatible with hybrid and start-stop engines, working with a battery of just 6V.

STPA008 enriches your listening experience

Offers extreme robustness against misconnections

The STPA008 is the latest automotive-grade class AB analog input power amplifier of the STPA family designed to enrich the car audio listening experience. It embeds 4 audio channels able to deliver a maximum power of 50 W each, it can drive loads as low as 2 W and operate from 6 to 18 V without popping or interruption. This makes the product compatible with start-stop and hybrid vehicles. An exciting sound quality level is guaranteed by its particular architecture built using ST's exclusive BCD6sA smart power technology, specifically designed for audio performance. The STPA008 helps ensure excellent immunity against interference coming from mobile devices (the so-called “GSM effect”), saving input filtering components (capacitors, inductors). Radio manufacturers can further save components and space on the board since all features are integrated and the STPA008 offers extreme robustness against misconnections.

The product is available in both Flexiwatt25 and Flexiwatt27 packages.