Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EV18021A-N-00A

Overview

EV18021A-N-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is an evaluation board for the MP18021AHN high-frequency 100V half-bridge N-channel MOSFET gate driver IC, configured as a buck converter with on-board PWM-to-INH/INL dead-time generation, 200kHz switching, 4A load capability, and integrated bootstrap diode. It supports VPOWER up to 100V and VDD from 9–18V.

For engineers reviewing the EV18021A-N-00A datasheet, EV18021A-N-00A pinout, EV18021A-N-00A application, or EV18021A-N-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of MP18021AHN's propagation delay (<16ns), gate drive matching (<5ns), 12V/100V dual-rail operation, and UVLO-protected high-side/low-side channel control in telecom and avionics DC-DC designs.

Technical Context

The EV18021A-N-00A implements a fixed-function buck topology using the MP18021AHN gate driver IC, which independently controls high-side and low-side N-MOSFETs (Si7738DP) with matched timing and <5ns skew. On-board logic (NC7S32M5, NC7WZ14P6X) converts a single PWM input into phase-separated INH/INL signals with hardware-enforced dead time.

It integrates a 33µH power inductor (WE74435573300), 100V aluminum bulk capacitor (ECA-2CM101), and 250V ceramic snubbers (GRM32DR72E224KW01) to sustain 100V VPOWER, 4A output, and 200kHz FSW under thermal-limited conditions. The board operates with 9–18V VDD and includes MP2016 LDO for auxiliary 5V rail generation.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV18021A-N-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for telecom power supplies, avionics DC-DC converters, and two-switch forward converter development requiring stable component supply, pre-validated gate drive timing, and 100V half-bridge reference design support.

Supply support for EV18021A-N-00A 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

Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog and power ICs, with core expertise in DC-DC conversion, gate drivers, and motor control solutions.

The MP18021A product line delivers high-frequency, high-voltage half-bridge gate drivers optimized for isolated and non-isolated switch-mode power supplies where precise timing, UVLO protection, and integrated bootstrap functionality reduce system component count.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the EV18021A-N-00A evaluation board?

This board is a fully assembled, tested reference design for the MP18021AHN 100V half-bridge gate driver IC. It implements a buck converter with on-board logic that converts a single PWM input into properly timed INH and INL signals, including hardware-enforced dead time to prevent shoot-through in N-MOSFET half-bridge configurations.

Can the EV18021A-N-00A be used with other gate driver ICs?

No - the board is specifically designed and laid out for the MP18021AHN in SOIC-8 EP package. Component values (e.g., bootstrap network, gate resistors, feedback dividers) and layout are optimized for its 100V VBST rating, <5ns channel matching, and UVLO thresholds. Substituting another driver IC would require redesign of power routing, thermal pads, and timing circuitry.

What are the critical power supply requirements for operation?

Two independent supplies are mandatory: VDD (9–18V, ≤150μA quiescent) powers the MP18021AHN logic and gate drivers; VPOWER (0–100V) supplies the half-bridge high-side path via the bootstrap capacitor. Both rails must share a common GND, and VPOWER must remain within absolute maximum ratings to avoid damaging the integrated bootstrap diode or MOSFETs.

How is dead time generated and verified on this board?

Dead time is generated by on-board OR and inverter logic (NC7S32M5, NC7WZ14P6X) that delays the rising edge of INL relative to INH. Verified waveforms in the documentation show >100ns minimum dead time at 200kHz. Users must confirm absence of simultaneous DRVH/DRVL high states using oscilloscope measurements before enabling VPOWER.

What thermal limitations apply during 4A load testing?

The 4A rating assumes 25°C ambient, forced airflow, and ≤10% duty cycle at 200kHz. Sustained 4A operation causes measurable heating in the Si7738DP MOSFETs and 33µH inductor. Board temperature must stay below 85°C at the MP18021AHN exposed pad; exceeding this risks UVLO activation or MOSFET thermal runaway due to RDS(on) increase.

Does the board include EMI mitigation features?

Yes - it incorporates multi-layer PCB stack-up (4-layer), localized 0.22µF/250V ceramic snubbers across each MOSFET drain-source, ferrite-beaded gate traces, and tightly coupled power/ground planes beneath the MP18021AHN and MOSFETs. These reduce high-di/dt ringing and conducted emissions typical of 100V, 200kHz half-bridge switching.