Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EVKT-2661

Overview

EVKT-2661 from Monolithic Power Systems is a complete evaluation kit for the MP2661 single-cell Li-Ion/Li-Polymer battery charger IC, featuring integrated power-path management, I²C programmability, 4.200V default charge voltage, 8–535mA adjustable charge current, and on-board thermal regulation. It enables rapid validation of charging behavior, system power routing, and protection features in portable power applications.

For engineers reviewing the EVKT-2661 datasheet, EVKT-2661 pinout, EVKT-2661 application, or EVKT-2661 equivalent, this kit provides full hardware-software integration with the MP2661 IC-including EV2661-C-00A evaluation board, EVKT-USBI2C-02 USB-to-I²C interface, GUI software (v1.2), and configurable OTP programming support-enabling real-time register read/write, parameter tuning, and thermal/UVLO fault testing.

Technical Context

The EVKT-2661 implements a complete test environment for the MP2661's dual-role power-path architecture: it simultaneously powers downstream SYS loads while charging BATT, using internal 300mΩ IN→SYS LDO MOSFET and 100mΩ SYS→BATT battery MOSFET. No external blocking diode is required.

Hardware-level control is enabled via I²C interface (SCL/SDA/GND connections), supported by MPS I²C GUI v1.2 running on Windows XP/7+, with driver compatibility verified for USBXpress v4.0.0.0. All I²C-modified settings are volatile; OTP configuration requires FAE-assisted code generation and is non-rewritable.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVKT-2661 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for battery management system development, portable medical device qualification, IoT endpoint power validation, and consumer electronics design requiring stable component supply and repeatable lab evaluation capability.

Supply support for EVKT-2661 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 conversion, battery charging, and motor control solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The EVKT-2661 belongs to MPS's evaluation kit product line, designed specifically to accelerate adoption of their digital battery chargers-enabling engineers to validate MP2661's power-path arbitration, thermal regulation, and I²C-configurable safety thresholds before silicon integration.

FAQ

Does EVKT-2661 support firmware updates or field reprogramming of the MP2661 IC?

No. The MP2661 is an OTP (one-time-programmable) device. While the EVKT-2661 GUI allows full I²C register read/write during active operation, all changes are volatile and reset on power cycle. Permanent configuration requires OTP export, submission to MPS FAE, and ordering a custom MP2661-xxxx variant.

What is the role of the EVKT-USBI2C-02 included in the kit?

The EVKT-USBI2C-02 is a dedicated USB-to-I²C bridge that converts PC USB commands into I²C protocol signals. It uses Silicon Labs CP2112-based USBXpress firmware (v4.0.0.0 required) to communicate with the MP2661 on the EV2661-C-00A board, enabling GUI-driven register access without external logic analyzers or custom adapters.

Can the EVKT-2661 evaluate battery discharge or load-dumping scenarios?

Yes. The kit supports system-side load connection via SYS and GND terminals, allowing observation of power-path arbitration during simultaneous charging and discharging. However, it does not include active load control or discharge-current measurement circuitry-the discharge path is limited to the MP2661's internal 100mΩ MOSFET and must be externally monitored using a multimeter or oscilloscope.

Is thermal protection behavior observable in real time using the GUI?

Yes. The GUI displays real-time die temperature (via internal sensor), thermal regulation status, and shutdown/recovery events. When die temperature exceeds the on-chip thermal limit, the GUI shows "Thermal Shutdown" and halts charging; recovery is confirmed when temperature drops below hysteresis threshold and the GUI reports "Normal Operation Resumed".

What happens if the input voltage falls below the UVLO threshold during evaluation?

The MP2661 disables charging and enters supplement mode, sourcing power from the battery to maintain SYS output. The GUI reflects this transition via status register bits (e.g., CHG_STAT = 0x00, SUPPLEMENT = 1). Input UVLO rising/falling thresholds are fixed at 3.9V/3.7V respectively and cannot be adjusted via I²C.

Are schematics and PCB layout files available for the EV2661-C-00A board?

No. Monolithic Power Systems provides only the assembled EV2661-C-00A board as part of the kit. Full schematics, BOM, and Gerber files are proprietary and not publicly released. Engineers requiring design reuse must contact MPS directly for NDA-covered technical collaboration.