Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EVCS1803-S-20-00A

Overview

EVCS1803-S-20-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is a linear Hall-effect current sensor evaluation board designed to demonstrate the MCS180XGS-20 current sensor IC, supporting ±20 A primary current sensing at 5 V supply, with 100 mV/A typical sensitivity, galvanic isolation, and 100 kHz bandwidth for accurate AC/DC measurement in power electronics test environments.

For engineers reviewing the EVCS1803-S-20-00A datasheet, EVCS1803-S-20-00A pinout, EVCS1803-S-20-00A application, or EVCS1803-S-20-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of MCS180XGS-20 performance-including output linearity, rise time (4 μs), conductor resistance (0.9 mΩ), and stray-field rejection-under real-world current injection and supply conditions.

Technical Context

The EVCS1803-S-20-00A implements the MCS180XGS-20 IC in SOIC-8 package, configured with differential Hall array architecture to reject external magnetic interference, and uses a fixed 5 V supply to deliver VOUT = 2.5 V ± 2.0 V over ±20 A input range. The board's primary conductor path (IP+/IP−) is physically isolated from signal pins (VCC, GND, VOUT, FILT), enabling safe high-side current monitoring.

Bandwidth is user-adjustable via C4 capacitor (not populated by default); open-C4 yields full 100 kHz response, while added capacitance reduces bandwidth per RC filtering. Output offset is factory-trimmed to VCC/2 (2.5 V), and internal conductor resistance remains fixed at 0.9 mΩ regardless of current range selection.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVCS1803-S-20-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for motor control validation, switch-mode power supply design verification, automotive subsystem testing, and industrial over-current protection prototyping requiring stable component supply and traceable evaluation hardware.

Supply support for EVCS1803-S-20-00A 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, and precision analog sensors for industrial and automotive applications.

The MCS180X product line was developed to replace optocoupler-based current sensing with galvanically isolated, low-drift Hall-effect solutions offering superior temperature stability, bandwidth, and integration in space-constrained power systems.

FAQ

What is the required supply voltage for EVCS1803-S-20-00A?

This board is configured exclusively for 5 V operation, matching the MCS1803-series IC specification. Applying 3.3 V will result in invalid output scaling and potential undervoltage lockout; no onboard regulator or dual-supply switching is provided.

How is primary current injected into the board?

Current is applied across the screw terminals labeled IP+ and IP− (Keystone 8191K-ND), which connect directly to the internal 0.9 mΩ copper conductor path of the MCS180XGS-20 IC. No soldering or PCB modification is needed for connection.

Does the board provide galvanic isolation between current path and signal outputs?

Yes - the MCS180XGS-20 IC provides reinforced galvanic isolation (3.75 kVRMS) between the IP+/IP− primary conductor and the VOUT/GND/VCC/FILT signal pins, eliminating need for external isolation components during testing.

Can bandwidth be adjusted, and how?

Yes - bandwidth is set by capacitor C4 (unpopulated footprint). Installing a ceramic capacitor here forms an RC low-pass filter with internal sensor impedance; for example, 1 nF reduces bandwidth to ~10 kHz, while leaving C4 open maintains full 100 kHz capability.

What is the purpose of the FILT pin?

FILT is the internal filter capacitor connection point for the Hall sensor's analog front-end. It is left unconnected on this board (no C3 installed), preserving maximum bandwidth and allowing users to add external filtering only if noise susceptibility is observed in their specific test setup.

Is the output voltage ratiometric to supply voltage?

No - VOUT offset is trimmed to exactly VCC/2 (2.5 V at 5 V), but sensitivity (100 mV/A) is absolute and independent of VCC variation. This ensures consistent current measurement accuracy even with minor supply drift within the 4.75–5.25 V operating window.