Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EV3372-R-00A

Overview

EV3372-R-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is an evaluation board for the MP3372 synchronous boost WLED driver IC, designed to validate 8-channel LED current regulation (50 mA per string), I²C-configurable dimming modes (14-bit PWM, 10-bit analog), and selectable switching frequencies up to 1.2 MHz in notebook and tablet LCD backlight systems.

For engineers reviewing the EV3372-R-00A datasheet, EV3372-R-00A pinout, EV3372-R-00A application, or EV3372-R-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of MP3372GR operation-including cascade power sharing, linear smooth dimming step-slopes (2–128 µs), LED short/open protection thresholds (2.5V–46V), and mixed-dimming transfer points (6.25%–50%).

Technical Context

The EV3372-R-00A implements the MP3372GR IC in a QFN-24 (4 mm × 4 mm) package, supporting 3 V–30 V input and delivering regulated output up to 45 V across eight independent LED strings. It uses peak-current-mode control with synchronous rectification and integrates full I²C register access for real-time configuration of switching frequency, full-scale current (0–50 mA, 0.196 mA/step), dimming mode, and protection thresholds.

This board supports multi-dimming operation including external/internal PWM (14-bit), analog (10-bit), and mixed modes with programmable transfer points. Phase-shift during PWM dimming and linear smooth dimming with seven selectable step-slopes (2–128 µs) are hardware-enabled features validated on this platform.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV3372-R-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LCD backlight validation, WLED driver qualification, and I²C-based display power architecture prototyping requiring stable component supply and documented reference design fidelity.

Supply support for EV3372-R-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 over two decades of innovation in DC/DC converters, LED drivers, and motor controllers.

The MP3372 product line targets high-efficiency, multi-string WLED backlighting for thin-form-factor displays, emphasizing tight current matching (±2.5%), flexible dimming architecture, and thermal-aware protection for long-term reliability in consumer and automotive displays.

FAQ

What power supply requirements does the EV3372-R-00A board need?

The board requires a DC input of 3 V to 30 V applied across VIN_Boost and GND terminals. Input must be capable of delivering ≥2.5 A peak current to support full 8-string operation at 50 mA each under worst-case V_LED conditions. Ripple should be <50 mV_pp to avoid interference with I²C communication and PWM timing stability.

How do I configure dimming modes on the EV3372-R-00A?

Dimming is configured via I²C registers using the MP3372 GUI interface or custom host controller. Supported modes include external/internal PWM (14-bit), analog (10-bit), and mixed dimming with user-selectable transfer points (6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%). The board provides dedicated PWM and EN pins for hardware control alongside SCL/SDA for register-level setup.

Does the board support cascading multiple MP3372 devices?

Yes - the EV3372-R-00A implements the MP3372GR's cascade function, allowing synchronization of switching frequency and phase alignment across multiple boards or ICs. This is enabled via the SYNC pin and verified in the schematic using R8/R9 pull-up/pull-down resistors for master/slave configuration.

What protection features are validated on this evaluation board?

The board validates all MP3372GR protection functions: LED short detection at 2.5/5/7.5/10 V thresholds, OVP at 24/31/37.5/46 V, OCP at 1.8/2.5 A, OTP, and inductor/diode short detection. These are implemented via internal comparators and register-controlled enable bits, accessible through I²C for fault logging and recovery testing.

Can unused LED strings be left floating during testing?

No - unused LED strings must be terminated to GND via 0 Ω resistors at their respective LEDx– pins, as specified in the Quick Start Guide. Leaving them floating disables auto-disable functionality and may cause erratic startup behavior or false open-circuit fault triggers due to floating gate voltages on internal current sinks.

Is the board RoHS-compliant and lead-free?

Yes - the EV3372-R-00A uses only RoHS-compliant, lead-free, and halogen-free components per MPS policy. All passives (capacitors, resistors, inductors) and the MP3372GR IC meet JEDEC J-STD-609 Class 1 marking requirements, and the PCB substrate is FR-4 with lead-free ENIG finish.