Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EV3389EY-00A

Overview

EV3389EY-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is an evaluation board for the MP3389EY step-up LED driver IC, designed to validate 12-string parallel white LED backlighting solutions for large LCD panels. It supports 8–28 V input, delivers up to 60 mA per string (20 mA per string in default configuration), achieves ±2.5% inter-string current regulation, and integrates open/short LED and thermal shutdown protection.

For engineers reviewing the EV3389EY-00A datasheet, EV3389EY-00A pinout, EV3389EY-00A application, or EV3389EY-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of MP3389EY-based LED backlight designs with programmable OVP, PWM/DC dimming, and external MOSFET control in notebook, monitor, and automotive display systems.

Technical Context

The EV3389EY-00A implements a fixed-frequency current-mode boost converter architecture using the MP3389EY TSSOP-28 IC, external P-channel high-side and N-channel low-side MOSFETs (AM4499P/AM4490N), and discrete current-sense resistors (0.1 Ω) per string. It supports burst-mode PWM dimming (200 Hz–2 kHz) and DC analog dimming via the DIM pin.

Board-level protections include under-voltage lockout (UVLO), over-voltage protection (OVP) set by R9/R11 divider, open/short LED detection per string, and thermal shutdown triggered by on-die temperature sensing in the MP3389EY. Feedback is taken at 0.2 V per string to minimize power loss.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV3389EY-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LCD TV backlight validation, notebook PC display qualification, and automotive infotainment display development requiring stable component supply and repeatable evaluation platform performance.

Supply support for EV3389EY-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, LED drivers, motor drivers, and battery management.

The EV3389EY-00A belongs to MPS's LED backlight evaluation platform family, developed specifically to accelerate design-in of high-accuracy, multi-string boost drivers for large-format LCD displays in consumer and automotive applications.

FAQ

What is the maximum number of LEDs supported per string on the EV3389EY-00A?

The board is configured for 14 white LEDs per string, with 12 strings in parallel. This configuration is validated for typical 3.3 V forward voltage per LED at 20 mA, resulting in ~46.2 V total string voltage at full load, within the MP3389EY's 60 V OVP limit.

How is dimming implemented on this evaluation board?

Dimming is implemented via the PWM DIM pin: applying a rectangular waveform (200 Hz–2 kHz, low <0.5 V, high >5 V) controls LED brightness through duty-cycle modulation. A DC voltage applied to the same pin enables analog dimming, scaling output current linearly from 0% to 100%.

Does the EV3389EY-00A include on-board current sensing for each LED string?

Yes - each of the 12 LED strings has a dedicated 0.1 Ω, 1%, 1206-size current-sense resistor (R6 ×2). These feed individual current feedback paths into the MP3389EY's internal current-regulation comparators, enabling 2.5% inter-string matching without external op-amps.

What protection features are active by default on the EV3389EY-00A?

By default, the board enables under-voltage lockout (UVLO), cycle-by-cycle current limiting, over-voltage protection (60 V), open-LED detection per string, short-LED detection per string, and thermal shutdown. All are implemented in the MP3389EY IC with no external components required beyond the sense resistors and OVP divider.

Can the switching frequency be adjusted on this evaluation board?

Yes - the MP3389EY supports programmable switching frequency from 100 kHz to 1 MHz via an external resistor (R13 = 60.4 kΩ on this board sets ~600 kHz). Frequency adjustment directly impacts EMI profile and inductor size selection without affecting regulation accuracy.

Is the EV3389EY-00A compatible with automotive-grade LED arrays?

Yes - the board operates across 8–28 V input (covering automotive 12 V nominal with cold-crank and load-dump margins) and includes AEC-Q200–compatible passive components (e.g., Murata GRM series capacitors, Yageo RC series resistors), though final system qualification requires full AEC-Q100 testing of the MP3389EY IC itself.