Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EV7221-R-00A

Overview

EV7221-R-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is an evaluation board for the MPQ7221GRE-AEC1 16-channel automotive-grade LED driver IC, supporting 80mA per channel, I²C address programming (10 options), 12-bit PWM + 6-bit analog dimming, and fault monitoring via RFSH/FLT pin. It demonstrates open-load, short-load, and over-temperature protection in automotive tail/turn lighting applications.

For engineers reviewing the EV7221-R-00A datasheet, EV7221-R-00A pinout, EV7221-R-00A application, or EV7221-R-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of MPQ7221-AEC1's dual-dimming control, programmable slew rate, phase-shifted PWM, and cascaded I²C configuration across 16 LED strings under 4–16V input.

Technical Context

The EV7221-R-00A implements the MPQ7221GRE-AEC1 IC in a QFN-24 (4mm×4mm) wettable flank package, with dedicated test points for VIN, EN, SCL, SDA, RFSH/FLT, and 16 LED outputs. It integrates all passive components required for operation-including RISET resistor (15kΩ), decoupling capacitors (10µF ×2), and pull-up resistors-enabling immediate functional testing without external circuitry.

Board-level features include configurable refresh signal output, programmable LED current ramp rate (5µs to 100µs), 40µs inter-channel phase shift, and fault register readback via I²C. The design supports 16 parallel single-string (16P1S) LED loads at 3V VLED and 80mA ILED, with thermal management verified at TA = 25°C.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV7221-R-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive lighting development, LED module qualification, and I²C-based driver validation requiring stable component supply, traceable sourcing, and long-term evaluation board continuity.

Supply support for EV7221-R-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, LED drivers, motor drivers, and battery management solutions.

The MPQ7221 product line delivers AEC-Q100-compliant LED drivers optimized for automotive exterior lighting, emphasizing robust fault handling, EMI-reduced PWM timing, and scalable I²C topology for multi-board LED array control.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the EV7221-R-00A evaluation board?

The EV7221-R-00A is a fully assembled demonstration platform for the MPQ7221GRE-AEC1 LED driver IC. It provides immediate access to all 16 LED outputs, I²C interface pins, enable control, and fault reporting via RFSH/FLT, enabling hardware and firmware validation without custom PCB design.

Does the board support cascaded I²C configurations?

Yes - the board implements the MPQ7221GRE-AEC1's 10-programmable I²C addresses via external resistor (R2 = 100kΩ), allowing up to 10 boards to share one I²C bus. Address selection is confirmed in the schematic and Bill of Materials on page 5 of the reference document.

How is LED current set on this evaluation board?

LED current per channel is set by the external RISET resistor (R4 = 15kΩ). Using the formula ILED = 1200 mA / R(kΩ), this yields 80mA per string. The board includes test points for RISET and direct access to all 16 LED return paths for measurement.

What protection features are demonstrated on the EV7221-R-00A?

The board validates open-load protection (OLP), short-load protection (SLP) with programmable threshold, and over-temperature protection (OTP). Fault conditions trigger RFSH/FLT pin assertion and corresponding register flags readable via I²C, as verified in test results on pages 7–9.

Is the EV7221-R-00A compatible with standard I²C host controllers?

Yes - the board exposes SCL, SDA, and GND on a 2.54mm header (CN1) and supports standard 3.3V I²C logic levels. It has been validated with the EVKT-USBI2C-02 programmable kit, and all register maps and command sequences align with the MPQ7221-AEC1 datasheet Rev. 1.0.

What is the purpose of the RFSH/FLT pin on this board?

RFSH/FLT serves dual function: as a configurable refresh signal output (programmable frequency/duty) and as an active-low fault indicator. When OLP, SLP, or OTP occurs, it pulls low and sets status bits in the fault register - both behaviors are demonstrated in test waveforms on pages 7–9.