Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EVKT-MP5470

Overview

EVKT-MP5470 from Monolithic Power Systems is a complete evaluation kit for the MP5470 programmable power management IC, comprising the EV5470-L-00A evaluation board, EVKT-USBI2C-02 USB-to-I²C interface, two MP5470GR-0000 ICs, and interconnect cables. It supports full I²C register access and up to three multi-time programmable (MTP) configuration burns for custom PMIC tuning.

For engineers reviewing the EVKT-MP5470 datasheet, EVKT-MP5470 setup procedure, EVKT-MP5470 GUI software compatibility, or EVKT-MP5470 MTP programming workflow, this kit delivers validated hardware-software integration for rapid characterization of the MP5470's four buck converters, flexible sequencing, and system-level power architecture validation under real input voltage (4V–16V) and load conditions.

Technical Context

The EVKT-MP5470 enables full digital control of the MP5470 PMIC via I²C using the MPS I²C GUI, with real-time register read/write and persistent MTP configuration storage. It supports dynamic parameter adjustment including output voltage, switching frequency (configurable), soft-start slew rate, valley current limit, and phase delay across all four buck channels.

Hardware includes the EV5470-L-00A board (6.35 cm × 6.35 cm) powered from 6.5V–16V DC input and the EVKT-USBI2C-02 interface device implementing USB-to-I²C/PMBus translation with USBXpress driver support on Windows XP/7+. All I²C changes are volatile; only MTP-burned settings survive power cycles - up to three times maximum.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVKT-MP5470 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for power architecture prototyping, PMIC validation, and embedded system bring-up requiring stable component supply, repeatable lab evaluation, and production-ready configuration transfer.

Supply support for EVKT-MP5470 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 solutions, with expertise in integrated DC/DC conversion, battery management, and digital power control ICs.

The EVKT-MP5470 belongs to MPS's evaluation platform family designed specifically to accelerate adoption of their programmable PMICs - enabling engineers to validate complex multi-rail power trees, configure timing sequences, and deploy MTP-based customization before silicon commitment.

FAQ

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

The EVKT-USBI2C-02 is a dedicated USB-to-I²C/PMBus interface device that bridges the host PC and the EV5470-L-00A evaluation board. It uses the USBXpress driver stack and enables bidirectional communication for register reads/writes, real-time monitoring, and MTP programming - distinct from generic USB-I²C adapters due to its MPS-specific protocol handling and firmware compatibility.

Can I retain my I²C configuration after powering down the board?

No. All I²C register modifications are volatile and reset to default values upon power cycle. To preserve settings, you must perform an MTP burn using the GUI's MTP Configure tab and the password "mps0519". Only MTP-programmed configurations persist across power cycles - up to three times maximum per IC.

Which MP5470 variants are supported by this evaluation kit?

The EVKT-MP5470 is validated for use with the MP5470GR-0000 IC, as supplied in the kit. The EV5470-L-00A board is designed for the MP5470GR package (QFN-40, 5mm×5mm), and the GUI software selects register maps specific to this variant. Other MP5470 suffixes (e.g., -0011) require matching MTP configuration files and FAE coordination.

Does the kit support Linux or macOS?

No. The official MPS I²C GUI software and USBXpress drivers are developed exclusively for Windows platforms (XP, 7, or later). No native Linux or macOS support is provided, and third-party I²C tools cannot replicate the full register control, MTP encryption, or GUI-based configuration export functionality.

How do I verify a successful MTP burn?

A successful MTP burn is confirmed when the 0x13 register value changes from 0x81H to 0x82H after clicking "Read All" in the GUI. This status flag indicates committed configuration storage. Additionally, the GUI displays "MTP Program Success" and the MTP version number increments - both observable only after a full power cycle and reconnection.

What happens if I exceed three MTP burns on an MP5470GR-0000 IC?

The fourth and subsequent MTP burn attempts will appear to succeed in the GUI (no error message), but the configuration will not be stored. The 0x13 register remains at 0x81H, and all settings revert to the last valid MTP state after power cycling. No hardware damage occurs, but further customization requires replacement of the IC.