Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EV28210-C-00A

Overview

EV28210-C-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is a 1A, ultra-low-quiescent-current (500nA) step-down DC/DC converter with constant-on-time (COT) control, operating from 2.0V to 5.5V input and delivering 7 selectable output voltages (1.2V–3.3V) in a 1.2mm×1.6mm CSP-12 package. It integrates dual 0.25Ω internal MOSFETs, supports 100% duty-cycle dropout operation, and features power-good (PG), thermal shutdown, cycle-by-cycle OCP, and hiccup-mode short-circuit protection - optimized for battery-powered wearables and IoT edge nodes.

For engineers reviewing the EV28210-C-00A datasheet, EV28210-C-00A pinout, EV28210-C-00A application, or EV28210-C-00A equivalent, key selection criteria include ultra-low IQ performance at µA loads, dynamic voltage scaling via three CTRL pins, tight ±1% line/load regulation, 1.5MHz CCM switching frequency, and thermal resistance (θJA = 55°C/W) on a 2-layer reference board.

Technical Context

The MP28210 uses a constant-on-time (COT) control architecture with integrated error amplifier feedback, enabling fast transient response and seamless PWM-to-PFM transition without external compensation. Its sleep-mode logic and ultra-low 500nA quiescent current are achieved through dedicated low-power biasing and gate-drive optimization across the P-channel high-side and N-channel low-side synchronous switches.

Three digital CTRL pins configure output voltage (1.2V–3.3V) and enable/disable functionality, while the open-drain PG pin monitors regulated output with 90% threshold and 10% hysteresis. The device enters 100% duty-cycle mode below V_OUT, maintains regulation down to 2.0V input, and implements cycle-by-cycle over-current detection with hiccup recovery for sustained short-circuit conditions.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

EV28210-C-00A is housed in a 12-ball CSP package (1.2mm × 1.6mm, 0.4mm pitch) with bottom-side ball layout and no top-side pads. Thermal performance is characterized at θ_JA = 55°C/W on a 2-layer 63mm×63mm reference PCB.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar step-down converter applications.

Compared with TPS62840, EV28210-C-00A offers smaller CSP footprint and programmable V_OUT but trades 100nA I_Q for flexibility; versus LT3045, it delivers 5× higher current and switching efficiency but introduces ripple requiring filtering in mixed-signal designs.

Availability

EV28210-C-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wearable electronics, IoT sensor nodes, and portable medical devices requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed RoHS/REACH compliance.

Supply support for EV28210-C-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-efficiency, small-footprint power management ICs for consumer, industrial, and automotive markets.

The MP28210 belongs to MPS's ultra-low-I_Q buck converter product line, designed specifically for energy-constrained, battery-operated edge devices where multi-year operation and minimal PCB area are primary system requirements.

FAQ

What is the maximum junction temperature and thermal shutdown threshold for EV28210-C-00A?

The EV28210-C-00A has a maximum junction temperature of 150°C and triggers thermal shutdown at 150°C with 30°C hysteresis, resuming operation once die temperature falls below 120°C. This behavior is verified per datasheet Section 4 Absolute Maximum Ratings and confirmed in thermal characterization data on page 6.

Can CTRL pins be left floating, and what happens if they exceed VIN voltage?

No - CTRL pins must never be left floating. Unused CTRL pins must be tied to GND; used pins require voltage ≤ VIN to prevent internal clamp diode conduction and excessive current draw. Exceeding VIN risks damaging the input protection structure and invalidating the 500nA I_Q specification per datasheet Pin Functions section.

Does EV28210-C-00A support forced PWM mode, or is it strictly COT-controlled?

EV28210-C-00A operates exclusively in constant-on-time (COT) mode with automatic transition between CCM and PFM. It does not support forced PWM or external frequency synchronization. Light-load efficiency is maintained via pulse-skipping, and no external components are required to configure or override the control scheme.

What is the recommended external pull-up resistor value for the PG pin?

A 100kΩ to 500kΩ resistor is recommended between PG and VIN (or a CTRL rail) to ensure proper logic-high level (>0.7×V_IN) while limiting sink current to <10µA during fault conditions. Values outside this range may cause slow rise/fall times or insufficient drive strength per datasheet Electrical Characteristics table on page 6.

How does the 100% duty-cycle mode behave when VIN drops below VOUT?

When VIN falls below the programmed V_OUT, the high-side MOSFET remains continuously on, and output voltage becomes V_OUT ≈ VIN − I_LOAD × R_DS(ON). Regulation is lost, but the device continues sourcing current without shutdown - enabling graceful degradation in battery discharge scenarios per datasheet Section 14 Operation.

Is the CSP-12 package lead-free and RoHS-compliant?

Yes - EV28210-C-00A is fully lead-free, halogen-free, and compliant with EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. All MPS parts meet these requirements, and green status documentation is publicly available on the Monolithic Power Systems website under Quality Assurance.

What is the minimum output capacitor ESR requirement for stable operation?

No minimum ESR is required - the MP28210's COT control loop is stable with zero-ESR ceramic capacitors. The datasheet recommends 10µF X5R/X7R ceramics and confirms stability across ESR values from 1mΩ to 100mΩ in Application Information Section 16.