Evaluation Boards

The RPL and RPM evaluation boards are designed for a nominal 12V supply voltage (from 2.75V up to 17V, depending on the series) which have the DC/DC power modules already soldered into place and push-in terminals for the input and output connections. The output voltage is selectable from either 1.8V, 3.3V or 5V preset levels, at 1A-20A continuous output current. The main control functions such as enable, power good, soft start and output sense can be easily checked. Also the behavior in normal operation, overload or short-circuit situations can be readily evaluated. The evaluation boards also contain a built in EMC Class A or Class B filter with alternate component positions to allow experimentation to optimize the EMC performance depending on application and cost constraints.

Several evaluation boards are available for the RPX, RPY and RPMB SMD power module series which are designed to operated from a nominal 24V DC supply (from 23.8V up to 36V, depending on the series) The evaluation boards for the RPX-0.5Q (0.5A), RPX-1.0 (1A), and RPX-1.5Q (1.5A) have a selectable output voltage of 0.8V, 1.8V, 3.3V, 5V, 12V, 15V or 24V from a DC input of up to 36V while the evaluation board for the RPX-2.5 (2.5A) has selectable outputs of 1.8V, 3.3V or 5V from an input up to 28V and the evaluation board for the RPX-4.0 (4A) has selectable outputs of 1.0V, 1.8V, 3.3V or 5V from an input up to 36V. The evaluation board for the RPY-1.5Q LED driver offers constant current output pre-selectable to 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5A maximum output current with 0-100% dimming control from an input voltage of up to 36V. The RPMB-2.0 and RPMB-3.0 offer 2A or 3A output currents respectively, with selectable output voltages of 3.3V, 5V, 12V or 24V.

All the basic functions such as output voltage or current selection, enable control, and output sense and/or fault indication are connected to test points so that the behavior in overload or over-temperature conditions can be readily evaluated. The EVMs meet Class B EMC but also have free pads for alternate EMC filter designs to optimize component selection. Evaluation boards for the ‘-Q’ series are automotive-grade DC/DC converters in a QFN package with wettable flanks allowing solder joints to be easily confirmed by automated optical inspection equipment, as specified by automotive customers.

Evaluation boards are available for the RPMH-0.5, RPMH-1.5 and RPH-3.0 series of power modules with selectable output voltages of 3.3V, 5V, 12V, 15V and 24V and an input voltage range of up to 65VDC (55V for the RPH). All functions of the modules can be exercised and evaluated including trimming, sequencing, on/off control and sensing. Behavior in overload or in overtemperature conditions can also be evaluated. An EMI filter is included demonstrating compliance with ‘Class B’ conducted emissions.

The evaluation board for the RBB10 buck/boost converter generates a regulated output voltage with a current up to 4A from an external DC supply in the range of 2.3V to 5.5V which can be higher, lower or the same as the set output voltage. The output voltage is preset to 3.3V or 5V but can be adjusted between 1.0V and 5.5V using on‐board resistors. All of the functions of the RBB10‐2.0 regulator such as the different operating modes, output trim, enable, and the sense input can be easily evaluated using the break out connectors.