Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EVCS1802-S-50-00A

Overview

EVCS1802-S-50-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is a linear Hall-effect current sensor evaluation board designed to demonstrate the MCS180XGS-50 current sensor IC, supporting ±50 A primary current sensing at 3.3 V supply, with typical sensitivity of 26.4 mV/A, galvanic isolation, and 100 kHz bandwidth for AC/DC measurement in power electronics.

For engineers reviewing the EVCS1802-S-50-00A datasheet, EVCS1802-S-50-00A pinout, EVCS1802-S-50-00A application, or EVCS1802-S-50-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of isolated current sensing performance, output linearity, bandwidth response, and thermal stability under real-world load conditions using standardized screw terminals and configurable filter capacitance.

Technical Context

The EVCS1802-S-50-00A implements a differential Hall array architecture integrated with an SOIC-8 packaged MCS180XGS-50 sensor IC, enabling stray magnetic field cancellation and high common-mode rejection. It supports dual-supply operation (3.3 V only for this variant) and delivers ratiometric analog output voltage centered at 0.5 × VCC with ±50 A full-scale range.

Primary conductor resistance is fixed at 0.9 mΩ, minimizing insertion loss and self-heating. Output rise time is specified at ≤4 μs, and bandwidth is adjustable via external capacitor C4 on the FILT pin - open circuit yields maximum 100 kHz bandwidth.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVCS1802-S-50-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for motor control validation, switch-mode power supply current monitoring, over-current fault protection prototyping, and automotive-grade isolated sensing development requiring stable component supply and traceable evaluation hardware.

Supply support for EVCS1802-S-50-00A 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, LED drivers, and precision analog sensors.

The MCS180X product line is engineered for galvanically isolated, low-drift current sensing in demanding power conversion and safety-critical systems - targeting applications where optocoupler replacement and high-bandwidth analog feedback are required.

FAQ

What is the primary current path configuration on EVCS1802-S-50-00A?

The board uses two 4-pin screw terminals labeled IP+ and IP− to accept the primary current path. These connect directly to the internal 0.9 mΩ conductor of the MCS180XGS-50 IC, forming a low-resistance, isolated measurement path rated for continuous ±50 A with minimal thermal rise.

Can EVCS1802-S-50-00A operate with a 5 V supply?

No - EVCS1802-S-50-00A is configured exclusively for 3.3 V operation, as indicated by its "1802" prefix (denoting 3.3 V supply family) and confirmed in the Evaluation Board Basic Information table. For 5 V operation, use EVCS1803-S-50-00A instead.

How is bandwidth adjusted on this evaluation board?

Bandwidth is controlled via capacitor C4 connected to the FILT pin of the MCS180XGS-50. With C4 open (unpopulated), bandwidth reaches its maximum of 100 kHz. Adding capacitance reduces bandwidth proportionally - e.g., 1 nF lowers it to ~10 kHz - enabling noise filtering for low-frequency applications.

Does this board provide galvanic isolation between primary and secondary sides?

Yes - the MCS180XGS-50 IC on this board provides reinforced galvanic isolation (≥3.75 kVRMS per UL 62368-1) between the primary conductor pins (IP+, IP−) and the signal pins (VOUT, GND, VCC, FILT), eliminating need for external isolators in safety-compliant designs.

What is the role of the VOUT offset voltage?

VOUT is ratiometric and centered at 0.5 × VCC (1.65 V at 3.3 V supply), providing bidirectional output swing: +50 A yields ~1.65 V + (26.4 mV/A × 50 A) = ~2.97 V; −50 A yields ~0.33 V. This zero-centered analog output simplifies ADC interfacing and polarity detection.

Are decoupling capacitors pre-installed on the board?

Yes - C1 (0.1 µF, 0603) and C2 (4.7 µF, 0805) are populated as mandatory VCC decoupling capacitors per MPS design guidelines. C3 and C4 are designated as optional filter components and are unpopulated by default, allowing user-configurable bandwidth and noise suppression.