Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EV3393-F-00A

Overview

EV3393-F-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is an evaluation board for the MP3393EF step-up white LED driver controller, supporting 8 independent LED strings with external MOSFETs and discrete PNP current sources. It operates from 12–30V input, delivers 200mA per string (1.6A total), uses fixed-frequency current-mode control at 160kHz, and achieves 1.2% inter-string current matching for LCD backlighting applications.

For engineers reviewing the EV3393-F-00A datasheet, EV3393-F-00A pinout, EV3393-F-00A application, or EV3393-F-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of MP3393EF-based 8-string boost LED drivers - including analog/PWM dimming, OVP threshold configuration, open/short LED fault detection, and thermal shutdown behavior under real load conditions.

Technical Context

The EV3393-F-00A implements the MP3393EF's current-mode, fixed-frequency boost architecture with external power stage (AM4499P P-MOSFET and SUM110N15-1XP N-MOSFET) and eight discrete FZT953TA PNP transistors as current sinks. Each string regulates LED current via a dedicated 0.202V reference across its sense resistor (e.g., 1Ω → 202mA).

Key control signals include EN (enable), DIM (analog dimming input), FF (fault flag), VFAULT (fault voltage output), and OSC (frequency-setting resistor node). The board integrates programmable over-voltage protection (OVP = 45V default) and supports extension to more LED strings using shared boost stage and additional current sink arrays.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV3393-F-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LCD TV backlight design, flat-panel monitor development, and industrial display prototyping requiring stable component supply, validated reference schematics, and production-ready layout practices.

Supply support for EV3393-F-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 MP3393 product line targets high-accuracy, multi-string LED backlighting for large-format displays, emphasizing tight current matching, flexible dimming, and robust fault protection in compact TSSOP28/SOIC28 packages.

FAQ

What input voltage range does the EV3393-F-00A support?

The board accepts 12–30V DC input, matching the MP3393EF's specified 9–32V operating range. It has been tested and validated across this full span, with efficiency curves showing >90% at 18V input and 1.6A LED load.

How is LED current set per string on this evaluation board?

Each string's current is set by a dedicated sense resistor (R15, R20, etc., all 1Ω on board). With the MP3393EF's 202mV current-sense reference, 1Ω yields 202mA/string. Replacing any resistor changes that string's current linearly (e.g., 0.5Ω → 404mA).

Does the board support both analog and PWM dimming?

Yes - analog dimming is applied via the DIM pin (0–1.2V range controls current linearly), while external PWM signals (100–200Hz) can be injected into the same DIM pin for digital brightness control without modifying hardware.

What protections are implemented and how are faults signaled?

The board implements open/short LED detection, over-voltage protection (OVP), and thermal shutdown. Faults assert the FF pin low and drive VFAULT to ~0.4V, enabling system-level monitoring and safe shutdown via host controller.

Can I extend this board to drive more than 8 LED strings?

Yes - the MP3393EF supports expansion beyond 8 strings using shared boost stage and additional external current sinks. The board's layout and schematic provide routing guidance and component footprints for adding up to 16+ strings with proper thermal and layout considerations.

Is the switching frequency adjustable on this evaluation board?

Yes - though preset to 160kHz via R2 = 357kΩ on OSC, the frequency is fully programmable from ~50kHz to 1MHz by changing the resistor value between OSC and GND, per the MP3393EF datasheet equation f_SW ≈ 1.1×10⁶ / R_OSC.