Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EVKT-8847

Overview

EVKT-8847 from Monolithic Power Systems is a complete evaluation kit for the MP8847GD - a 2.7V–6V input, 6A synchronous step-down converter with I²C/PMBus digital control. It includes the EV8847-D-00A evaluation board and EVKT-USBI2C-02 USB-to-I²C interface, enabling real-time configuration of output voltage, switching frequency, slew rate, operating mode (PFM/CCM), and protection thresholds in lab or design validation environments.

For engineers reviewing the EVKT-8847 datasheet, EVKT-8847 hardware setup, EVKT-8847 software integration, or EVKT-8847 alternative evaluation platforms, this kit delivers rapid characterization of MP8847's digital power management capabilities - including dynamic VOUT adjustment, load transient response tuning, and fault status monitoring via MPS I²C GUI on Windows XP/7+ systems.

Technical Context

The EVKT-8847 is built around the MP8847GD IC, a monolithic buck regulator integrating high-side and low-side MOSFETs, internal compensation, and an I²C-compatible digital interface compliant with PMBus 1.3 command set. It supports register-level control of 12-bit VOUT programming, 125kHz–2.5MHz selectable switching frequency, and configurable overvoltage/undervoltage/overtemperature protections.

Hardware consists of two interoperable modules: the EV8847-D-00A (6.3 cm × 6.3 cm PCB with MP8847GD, input/output filtering, test points, and I²C header) and the EVKT-USBI2C-02 (USBXpress-based bridge providing galvanically isolated I²C communication at up to 400 kHz, with driver support for Windows x86/x64).

Key Specifications

Availability

EVKT-8847 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for power supply validation, DC-DC converter reference design verification, and digital power management training requiring stable component supply and full toolchain support.

Supply support for EVKT-8847 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, LED drivers, and motor control solutions for computing, industrial, and automotive markets.

The MP8847 product line targets digitally programmable point-of-load (POL) regulation in space-constrained applications such as FPGA/core voltage rails, SSD power, and portable computing - emphasizing fast transient response, minimal external components, and I²C-based system-level power orchestration.

FAQ

Does EVKT-8847 retain I²C configuration after power cycle?

No. All register modifications made via the MPS I²C GUI - including output voltage, switching frequency, and protection thresholds - are volatile and reset to factory defaults upon power-down. The MP8847GD lacks non-volatile memory; persistent settings require external microcontroller firmware or EEPROM-based configuration storage in final application designs.

What is the maximum supported I²C clock frequency for EVKT-8847 communication?

The EVKT-USBI2C-02 interface supports standard-mode (100 kHz) and fast-mode (400 kHz) I²C operation. Communication stability at 400 kHz is confirmed with the EV8847-D-00A board under typical lab conditions; timing margins comply with MP8847GD's tBUF and tLOW specifications per its datasheet.

Can EVKT-8847 evaluate multiple MP8847GD units simultaneously?

No. The kit is designed for single-unit evaluation. The EVKT-USBI2C-02 communicates with one slave address (0x60 default) at a time. Multi-unit evaluation requires separate kits or custom hardware with address-jumpered MP8847GD boards and modified GUI scripting - not supported out-of-box.

Is Linux or macOS supported for the MPS I²C GUI software?

No. The official MPS I²C GUI is a Windows-only application requiring .NET Framework 4.0. No native Linux/macOS version exists; virtualization or Wine-based execution is unsupported and may fail due to USBXpress driver dependencies and HID enumeration requirements.

What happens if the input voltage drops below 2.7V during evaluation?

The MP8847GD activates its under-voltage lockout (UVLO) circuit: operation halts when VIN falls below the falling threshold (~2.4V), and restarts only after VIN rises above the rising threshold (~2.6V). This behavior is observable in real time via the "VIN_UVLO" status flag in the GUI's System 2 register readout.

Are schematics and layout files for EV8847-D-00A publicly available?

Yes. Full design files - including schematic (PDF), PCB layout (Gerber), and bill of materials - are provided in the MP8847 product folder on MonolithicPower.com under "Design Resources." These files are licensed for evaluation and reference use only, not for commercial reproduction without MPS authorization.