Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EV6612-F-00A

Overview

EV6612-F-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is an evaluation board for the MP6612GF 40V, 5A H-bridge DC motor driver IC, supporting reversible motor control via IN1/IN2 logic inputs and featuring integrated current sensing (VISEN output), thermal shutdown, and fault reporting (nFAULT). It operates from 4V to 40V input and delivers up to 5A continuous motor current in a TSSOP-20EP package.

For engineers reviewing the EV6612-F-00A datasheet, EV6612-F-00A pinout, EV6612-F-00A application, or EV6612-F-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of MP6612-based motor drive designs-including bidirectional control, current monitoring calibration, coast/brake/forward/reverse state transitions, and thermal performance under load.

Technical Context

The EV6612-F-00A implements the MP6612GF's full functional interface: dual logic-level IN1/IN2 inputs define motor direction and braking states; nSLEEP enables low-power standby; nFAULT provides open-drain fault indication; and VISEN delivers a 10mV/A scaled analog current sense signal referenced to AGND. The board includes adjustable current sensing gain via RV1 (10kΩ trimmer) and supports external MCU or manual switch (SW1) control.

It integrates all critical passive components-input bulk capacitance (C1: 100µF/50V), ceramic decoupling (C2–C12), gate-drive bootstrap capacitor (C3), and protection diodes (D1–D5)-and routes high-current paths (VIN, OUT1, OUT2, GND) with wide copper pours and thermal vias beneath U1's exposed pad. PCB dimensions are 6.35cm × 6.35cm × 1cm.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV6612-F-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation prototyping, robotics actuator development, and automotive HVAC blower validation requiring stable component supply and fast-turn evaluation support.

Supply support for EV6612-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 power management ICs, including DC/DC converters, motor drivers, and battery management solutions for industrial, automotive, and computing applications.

The EV6612-F-00A belongs to MPS's motor driver evaluation platform family, designed to accelerate adoption of their integrated H-bridge solutions by providing fully tested, documented, and application-ready reference hardware.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the RV1 trimmer potentiometer on the EV6612-F-00A?

RV1 sets the current-sense gain for the VISEN output. With R1 = 2kΩ fixed, RV1 adjusts RISET per Equation (2): RISET = RV1 + R1. This determines IOUT-to-VISEN scaling using Equation (1): VISEN = IOUT × RISET × 10000, enabling precise calibration of motor current measurement across different load conditions.

Can the EV6612-F-00A drive brushed DC motors without external microcontroller control?

Yes. SW1 provides manual IN1/IN2 state selection via pull-up voltage (3.3V or 5V), allowing forward, reverse, brake, and coast operation without MCU involvement. The board includes dedicated test points (VISEN, FLT, ISET, VCP) and connectors (CN1, JP1–JP3) for flexible signal injection and monitoring.

Does the EV6612-F-00A include overtemperature protection?

Yes. The underlying MP6612GF IC features internal thermal shutdown that disables outputs when junction temperature exceeds safe limits. The EV6612-F-00A layout enhances thermal performance with the TSSOP-20EP's exposed pad soldered to a large copper area and multiple thermal vias, ensuring reliable operation at rated 5A current.

What is the function of the D1–D5 diodes on the evaluation board?

D1–D5 are NS-type (non-specified, but confirmed as general-purpose switching diodes per BOM) freewheeling and clamp diodes. They protect the MP6612GF's internal MOSFETs during inductive kickback from motor windings, suppress voltage spikes during PWM switching, and provide safe current recirculation paths during coast and brake states.

How is the bootstrap capacitor (C3) sized and what role does it play?

C3 is a 1µF/50V X7R ceramic capacitor placed between VCP and OUT2. It supplies gate-drive voltage for the high-side MOSFET during each switching cycle. Its 1µF value ensures sufficient charge storage to maintain gate voltage above threshold across the full duty cycle, especially at low input voltages and high PWM frequencies.

Is the EV6612-F-00A compatible with 3.3V logic-level microcontrollers?

Yes. The MP6612GF accepts 3.3V-tolerant IN1/IN2 inputs (VIH = 2.0V min, VIL = 0.8V max), and the board's CN1 connector is routed directly to these pins. No level-shifting circuitry is required-MCUs with 3.3V GPIO can drive the board natively, as confirmed in the Quick Start Guide and truth table.