Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EV2731-QC-00A

Overview

EV2731-QC-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is an evaluation board for the MP2731 wide-input, 4.5A I²C-controlled switch-mode battery charger IC. It demonstrates NVDC power path management, USB On-the-Go (OTG) operation up to 5.0V/3.0A, and supports input voltages from 3.7V to 16V - enabling validation of fast-charging systems for tablets, smartphones, and mobile internet devices.

For engineers reviewing the EV2731-QC-00A datasheet, EV2731-QC-00A pinout, EV2731-QC-00A application, or EV2731-QC-00A equivalent, this board provides full I²C programmability of charge voltage (3.4–4.67V), charge current (0.32–4.52A), input regulation threshold (4.3–15.2V), OTG output (4.8–5.5V), and thermal/NTC/JEITA safety controls - all with real-time GUI-based monitoring and register-level control.

Technical Context

The EV2731-QC-00A implements the MP2731GQC QFN-26 (3.5mm × 3.5mm) IC in a fully assembled, test-ready layout optimized for single-cell Li-ion/Li-polymer charging. It integrates a 1.35MHz buck charger, selectable boost converter for OTG, integrated ADC for VIN/IIN/VBATT/IBATT/VSYS/battery temperature, and narrow-voltage DC (NVDC) power path with ideal diode behavior and instant-on capability.

Board-level features include jumper-configurable CE, OTG, and NTC functions (JP1–JP3), USB-to-I²C interface support (EVKT-USBI2C-02), preloaded firmware-compatible GUI software, and test points for VIN, VBATT, VSYS, SW, BST, STAT, ILIM, and PMID - enabling complete characterization of charging profiles, power-path transitions, and fault response under real system loads.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV2731-QC-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for tablet PC development, smartphone power architecture validation, and mobile internet device battery subsystem qualification requiring stable component supply, traceable sourcing, and long-term evaluation board continuity.

Supply support for EV2731-QC-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 power management ICs, with design expertise in DC/DC converters, battery chargers, LED drivers, and motor drivers for consumer, industrial, and automotive markets.

The EV2731-QC-00A belongs to MPS's MP2731 evaluation platform family, engineered specifically to accelerate development of high-efficiency, I²C-configurable battery charging solutions with NVDC power path and USB OTG functionality for portable electronics.

FAQ

What software is required to operate the EV2731-QC-00A?

The board requires the official "MP2731 Evaluation Kit" .exe software, compatible with Windows XP, 7, and later OS versions. It communicates via the EVKT-USBI2C-02 interface and provides full GUI access to all I²C registers, real-time parameter adjustment, and fault/status monitoring - no third-party tools or SDKs are needed.

Does the EV2731-QC-00A support battery temperature monitoring?

Yes - it implements the MP2731's integrated NTC interface with configurable thermistor biasing (via JP1), supports JEITA-compliant 4-zone charging (via I²C registers JEITA_ISET and JEITA_VSET), and monitors battery temperature through the on-chip 12-bit ADC with ±2°C accuracy across –20°C to +85°C ambient range.

Can the EV2731-QC-00A be used for shipping mode and system restart validation?

Yes - the board exposes the MP2731's DISC pin and supports full I²C-controlled shipping mode activation (register 0x0A bit[0]), which disables all internal regulators and reduces quiescent current to <1μA. System restart is validated via the INT pin and GUI-triggered reset sequences.

What is the maximum supported battery discharge current in OTG mode?

In OTG mode, the board delivers up to 3.0A at 5.0V from the battery via the MP2731's integrated 1.35MHz boost converter. The actual sustained current depends on battery voltage, PCB thermal design, and inductor (L1 = 1.0μH, Cyntec HTEP32251B-1R0MIR-89) derating - verified up to 3.0A continuous with <5°C junction rise at TA = 25°C.

Is the EV2731-QC-00A compatible with standard USB-C PD sources?

No - the board itself does not implement USB-C PD protocol negotiation. It accepts 5V–16V DC input and relies on an external PD controller (e.g., CYPD3177) to negotiate voltage before feeding VIN. However, its wide input range and I²C-configurable VIN_MIN make it suitable for integration into full PD-enabled reference designs.

How is input current limiting implemented and verified on this board?

Input current limit (IIN_LIM) is set via I²C register 0x04 (range: 100mA–3250mA, default 500mA) and enforced by the MP2731's internal current-sense amplifier and buck regulator loop. Verification is performed using test points TP1 (VIN), TP11 (PGND), and TP6 (ILIM), with oscilloscope current probes confirming regulation within ±5% tolerance per MP2731 datasheet spec.