Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EV8801DJ-00A

Overview

EV8801DJ-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is an evaluation board for the MP8801DJ2.85 low-dropout linear regulator IC, designed to demonstrate 2.85V fixed-output regulation at up to 150mA load current with 2% accuracy, 150mV dropout at full load, and operation from 2.7V–6.5V input. It supports adjustable output (1.5V–5.0V) via external resistor divider and features thermal protection.

For engineers reviewing the EV8801DJ-00A datasheet, EV8801DJ-00A pinout, EV8801DJ-00A application, or EV8801DJ-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of MP8801 performance in noise-sensitive analog power rails-including audio codec supplies, mobile handset PLL power, and 802.11 PC card biasing-under real-world layout and capacitor ESR conditions.

Technical Context

The EV8801DJ-00A implements a complete reference design for the MP8801 LDO, integrating all recommended passive components: 1μF/10V (C1), 0.1μF/50V (C2), and 2.2μF/10V (C3) X7R/X5R ceramic capacitors for input filtering, bypass, and output stability. The board uses a 10kΩ pull-up resistor (R3) on EN to enable automatic startup.

It provides direct access to all five terminals of the TSOT23-5 packaged MP8801DJ2.85 IC - VIN, GND, EN, FB, and VOUT - enabling functional verification, load transient testing, PSRR measurement (70dB @ 1kHz, 30dB @ 1MHz), and adjustable output configuration using R1/R2 resistor dividers per the VFB = 1.222V feedback threshold.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV8801DJ-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for audio codec power, mobile handset PLL power, 802.11 PC card biasing, and other low-noise analog supply applications requiring stable component supply and fast design validation.

Supply support for EV8801DJ-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 analog and power ICs, headquartered in Los Gatos, CA, with global design and support infrastructure.

The EV8801DJ-00A belongs to MPS's evaluation board product line, developed specifically to accelerate customer adoption of their MP8801 family of ultra-low-noise, low-dropout linear regulators for portable and noise-critical analog subsystems.

FAQ

What is the default output voltage configured on the EV8801DJ-00A board?

The board is factory-configured for 2.85V fixed output using the MP8801DJ2.85 variant. No external resistors are populated for the feedback divider (R1 and R2 are marked "Do Not Stuff"), so the IC operates in its preset mode without adjustment required for initial testing.

Can I adjust the output voltage, and if so, how?

Yes. Populate R1 and R2 as a resistor divider between VOUT, FB, and GND. Use R2 = 10kΩ (±1%), then calculate R1 using R1 = R2 × (VOUT / 1.222V − 1). The Quick Start Guide provides precomputed R1 values for common outputs from 1.25V to 5.0V.

What capacitors are used on the board, and why are they specified?

The board uses AVX 0805ZC105KAT2A (1μF, 10V, X7R) at VIN, 08055C104KAT2A (0.1μF, 50V, X7R) as bypass, and 0805ZD225KAT2A (2.2μF, 10V, X5R) at VOUT. These low-ESR ceramics ensure stability across temperature and load, meeting MP8801's minimum capacitance and ESR requirements.

How is the EN pin controlled, and what happens when it's grounded?

EN is pulled high to VIN via a 10kΩ resistor (R3), enabling automatic startup. Connecting EN directly to GND disables the LDO, reducing quiescent current to <1μA and shutting down VOUT - useful for system-level power sequencing or standby mode validation.

Does the board include thermal protection testing capability?

Yes. The MP8801DJ2.85 IC on the board includes internal thermal overload protection. Under sustained 150mA load at elevated ambient temperatures (>70°C), the board demonstrates automatic current foldback and shutdown, with recovery once junction temperature falls below the thermal shutdown hysteresis threshold.

Is the EV8801DJ-00A compatible with other MP8801 variants?

Yes - the board's footprint and schematic match all MP8801 variants in TSOT23-5 package (e.g., MP8801DJ1.2, MP8801DJ3.3). Only the IC and optional R1/R2 need changing to evaluate different fixed or adjustable output configurations.