Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EV5490-C-00A

Overview

EV5490-C-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is an evaluation board for the MP5490 IC, designed to demonstrate four-channel high-accuracy laser diode current sources (ID), four-channel EML negative bias outputs (VB), and integrated 6-channel ADC inputs for ROSA/temperature monitoring in QSFP optical modules. It supports VIN1 input from 2.7V to 5.5V, delivers up to 250mA per ID channel, and provides configurable EML bias down to –5V.

For engineers reviewing the EV5490-C-00A datasheet, EV5490-C-00A pinout, EV5490-C-00A application, or EV5490-C-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of MP5490-based optical transceiver power and bias subsystems-including DFB LD drive, EML biasing, MPD current sensing, and analog telemetry acquisition-under real-world thermal and I²C control conditions.

Technical Context

The EV5490-C-00A implements a complete reference design for QSFP-DD and OSFP optical module biasing, integrating the MP5490GC-0000 CSP-36 IC with supporting power rails: a 1.8V buck converter (MP21148) for VIN2 and a –VIN1 charge pump (MP5418A) for VIN3. All four ID channels share a common R_IMON resistor (60.4kΩ, 0.1%) for precise current programming.

I²C-controlled registers enable independent configuration of each ID output (0–250mA) and VB output (–0.1V to –2.5V default; –5V via CTL0[6]), while hardware EN and LD_ON pins support system-level sequencing. Six external ADC inputs accept ROSA photodiode and thermistor signals, offloading MCU analog processing.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV5490-C-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for optical transceiver development, QSFP-DD module qualification, and EML/DFB laser bias subsystem validation requiring stable component supply, traceable evaluation hardware, and documented reference schematics.

Supply support for EV5490-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-performance power management ICs, with expertise in DC/DC conversion, LED drivers, and optical module bias solutions.

The EV5490-C-00A belongs to MPS's optical infrastructure evaluation platform family, engineered specifically to accelerate design-in of the MP5490 for next-generation pluggable optical modules targeting datacenter interconnect and telecom applications.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the EV5490-C-00A?

The EV5490-C-00A is a fully assembled evaluation board for the MP5490 IC, providing hardware validation of four-channel laser diode current sources, four-channel EML negative bias outputs, and six-channel analog telemetry inputs. It is not a standalone IC but a turnkey reference platform for optical module power architecture development.

Does the board include the MP5490 IC?

Yes, the EV5490-C-00A integrates the MP5490GC-0000 in a CSP-36 package (3 mm × 4.25 mm). The IC is soldered onto the board and functions as the core controller for ID current generation, VB biasing, MPD sensing, and ADC telemetry acquisition.

How is EML bias voltage adjusted beyond –2.5V?

The default VB output range is –0.1 V to –2.5 V. To extend it to –5 V, write CTL0 register (0x00) bit[6] = 1. This reconfigures the internal charge pump stage, enabling compliance with higher-voltage EML cathodes used in long-reach coherent modules.

Can the board operate without an external MCU?

No - the EV5490-C-00A requires an external microcontroller or host system to issue I²C commands for ID/VB configuration, enable control (SYSEN, ID_EN, VB_EN), and read ADC telemetry. No on-board firmware or autonomous operation capability is provided.

What are the power supply requirements for full functionality?

VIN1 must be supplied between 2.7 V and 5.5 V. VIN2 (1.8 V) and VIN3 (–VIN1) are generated internally. If total EML bias current exceeds 200 mA, jumpers J1–J4 must be removed and an external –VIN1 supply applied to CN1 pins 5–8 to avoid overloading the MP5418A charge pump.

Is ROSA current measurement supported directly?

Yes - the board provides dedicated IO1–IO6 terminals connected to the MP5490's six external ADC inputs. These accept ROSA photodiode current and thermistor voltage signals, with internal scaling and offset calibration performed by the MP5490 before digitization.