Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EV5023-V-01A

Overview

EV5023-V-01A from Monolithic Power Systems is a 16V, 50A hot-swap protection evaluation board featuring the MP5023GV integrated hot-swap controller with 1.1mΩ internal MOSFET, PMBus™ 1.3 interface, and real-time monitoring of VIN, VOUT, IOUT, and temperature. It implements adjustable current limiting (50A max), thermal shutdown, OVP/UVP, and damaged MOSFET detection in a FCQFN-24 package. Used for validating hot-swap deployment in server power rails.

For engineers reviewing the EV5023-V-01A datasheet, EV5023-V-01A pinout, EV5023-V-01A application, or EV5023-V-01A equivalent, this evaluation board enables rapid validation of PMBus-configurable over-current response modes (auto-retry vs. latch-off), soft-start timing via external SS capacitor, and precision current sensing using the IMON output - all critical for high-reliability 12V server and networking power subsystems.

Technical Context

The EV5023-V-01A is a functional demonstration platform for the MP5023GV IC, not a standalone component. It implements the full signal chain: VIN (4–16V) input conditioning, 1.1mΩ MOSFET switching path, PMBus-controlled fault management, and analog current/voltage/temperature sensing routed to the MP5023GV's internal 12-bit ADC. All protections - OCP, OTP, OVP, UVP - are configurable via PMBus commands.

Board-level design includes discrete decoupling (C1/C3/C8/C9 = 100nF X7R 0603), bulk output capacitance (C2A = 4700μF/35V electrolytic), Schottky clamping (D1 = SMDJ12A, D2 = B330A), and precision setting resistors (R1 = 453kΩ for OV threshold, R3 = 365kΩ for UV threshold). The FCQFN-24 footprint of U1 matches MP5023GV-R5's mechanical layout exactly.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV5023-V-01A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for server power validation, networking equipment qualification, laptop motherboard hot-swap integration, and industrial embedded power subsystem development requiring stable component supply and traceable reference designs.

Supply support for EV5023-V-01A 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 converters, LED drivers, motor drivers, and hot-swap controllers.

The MP5023 product line targets high-density, high-reliability hot-swap applications in data centers and telecom infrastructure, delivering precise current limiting, fast short-circuit response (<200ns), and digital configurability via PMBus to replace legacy analog solutions.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the EV5023-V-01A evaluation board?

The EV5023-V-01A is a fully assembled demonstration platform for the MP5023GV hot-swap controller. It validates the IC's core capabilities: 50A current-limited power sequencing, PMBus-configurable fault responses (OCP, OTP, OVP/UVP), real-time telemetry, and safe inrush control via external soft-start capacitor. It is not a production-ready module but a design verification tool.

Does the board support both auto-retry and latch-off over-current protection modes?

Yes. The MP5023GV on the EV5023-V-01A supports both modes via PMBus command MFR_OC_FAULT_RESPONSE. Auto-retry enables automatic recovery after fault clearance; latch-off requires manual reset via EN pin or PMBus command. Mode selection is confirmed in the MP5023 datasheet Rev. 1.0 Section 8.4.3 and validated on this board using the included SCL/SDA interface.

How is output current measured and scaled on this evaluation board?

Current is measured using the MP5023GV's internal sense amplifier. The IMON pin outputs a voltage proportional to load current, set by an external resistor (R8 = 2.49kΩ to GND per BOM). With this value, IMON = 0.5V/A - enabling direct oscilloscope or multimeter readout of IOUT without shunt resistors or external amplifiers.

Can the EV5023-V-01A be used to evaluate under-voltage lockout (UVP) behavior?

Yes. UVP threshold is set by resistor R3 (365kΩ) between UV and GND, yielding a nominal 10.5V trip point with hysteresis. The board allows dynamic adjustment of R3 to validate UVP response timing, release delay, and PMBus-readback of UV status flags (STATUS_WORD bit 12) during brown-out testing.

Is the FCQFN-24 footprint on the board identical to the MP5023GV-R5 IC package?

Yes. The U1 footprint matches the MP5023GV-R5 FCQFN-24 (4mm × 5mm, 0.5mm pitch) exactly, including thermal pad layout and pin 1 marking. This ensures mechanical and soldering compatibility for prototype integration and facilitates direct replacement with production-grade MP5023GV variants in final designs.

Does the board include output capacitor discharge functionality?

Yes. The MP5023GV supports optional active discharge via PMBus command MFR_DISCHARGE_ENABLE. On the EV5023-V-01A, this activates an internal FET path from VOUT to GND when the device is disabled, safely discharging the 4700μF bulk capacitor (C2A) within ~200ms - verified using the provided TIMER and LOADEN signals and documented in Section 7.3 of the MP5023 datasheet.