Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EV6500-U-00A

Overview

EV6500-U-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is an evaluation board for the MP6500GU bipolar stepper motor driver IC, supporting full/half/quarter/eighth-step microstepping, 4.5–35V input, and up to 2.5A motor current. It enables rapid validation of motion control in printers, CNC stages, and lab automation systems.

For engineers reviewing the EV6500-U-00A datasheet, EV6500-U-00A pinout, EV6500-U-00A application, or EV6500-U-00A equivalent, this board provides verified hardware reference for MP6500GU integration, decay mode behavior, current regulation tuning, and fault signaling under real load conditions.

Technical Context

The EV6500-U-00A implements a complete test platform for the MP6500GU QFN-24 (5mm×5mm) stepper driver, including on-board current-sense resistors, trimming potentiometers (RV1, RV2) for ITRIP and VREF adjustment, and dual-mode step input (EXT_STEP connector or manual SW1 control). It supports automatic decay mode selection and delivers fault status via dedicated open-drain FAULT output.

Board-level design includes decoupling network (C1–C8), 8-bit logic interface (CN1), motor output terminals (AOUT1/AOUT2/BOUT1/BOUT2), and discrete power routing with VIN/GND connectors rated for ≤35V/2.5A continuous operation. All MPS components are RoHS-compliant, lead-free, and halogen-free.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV6500-U-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for printer motion subsystems, laboratory automation positioning stages, and industrial CNC indexer validation requiring stable component supply and documented reference hardware.

Supply support for EV6500-U-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 core expertise in DC/DC converters, motor drivers, and LED controllers.

The MP6500 product line delivers integrated stepper motor drivers with on-chip translators and protection features, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, space-constrained motion control applications in office equipment and precision instrumentation.

FAQ

What is the function of RV1 and RV2 on the EV6500-U-00A board?

RV1 (100kΩ) sets the VREF voltage that determines the peak motor current limit (ITRIP) for the MP6500GU. RV2 (500kΩ) adjusts the reference for automatic decay mode timing. Both are square-trim potentiometers enabling precise analog tuning without soldering or resistor changes.

Can the EV6500-U-00A drive unipolar stepper motors?

No. The EV6500-U-00A is designed exclusively for bipolar stepper motors, as its MP6500GU IC uses H-bridge outputs (AOUT1/AOUT2/BOUT1/BOUT2) with phase-reversal capability. Unipolar motors require center-tapped windings and single-ended drive topology not supported by this board.

How is step resolution controlled on this evaluation board?

Step resolution is controlled by setting logic levels on MS1 and MS2 pins of U1 (MP6500GU), accessible via SW1 or CN1. Valid combinations yield full (MS1=0, MS2=0), half (1,0), quarter (0,1), or eighth (1,1) stepping - no firmware or external controller required for mode selection.

Does the board include overtemperature protection circuitry?

Yes. The MP6500GU IC integrates thermal shutdown (OTP) with hysteresis. When die temperature exceeds ~150°C, the device disables all outputs and asserts the FAULT pin low. Recovery occurs automatically after die cools below ~135°C, confirmed via board-level thermal testing per MPS datasheet.

Is the EV6500-U-00A compatible with 3.3V logic inputs?

Yes. The MP6500GU accepts 3.3V or 5V logic levels on STEP, DIR, MS1, MS2, and ENABLE pins. CN1 and SW1 provide direct access to these signals, and internal pull-ups ensure valid default states when external MCU interfaces operate at either voltage.

What is the recommended input capacitor for stable operation at 35V?

The board uses C1 (100μF/50V electrolytic) as primary bulk input capacitance. For sustained 35V operation with dynamic loads, MPS recommends adding ≥220μF low-ESR aluminum polymer or tantalum capacitor in parallel to reduce ripple and prevent VIN droop during high-current transients.