Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EVKT-MP8859

Overview

The EVKT-MP8859 from Monolithic Power Systems is an evaluation kit designed to accelerate development and validation of the MP8859GQ-0000, a synchronous 4-switch buck-boost DC/DC converter supporting 2.8V–22V input and I²C-configurable output voltage, current limit, frequency, soft-start, and protection modes. It includes the EV8859-Q-00B evaluation board, EVKT-USBI2C-02 USB-to-I²C interface, and Tdrive-8859 GUI software thumb drive.

For engineers reviewing the EVKT-MP8859 datasheet, EVKT-MP8859 hardware setup, EVKT-MP8859 software configuration, or EVKT-MP8859 ordering options, this kit delivers rapid functional verification of MP8859-based power architectures in portable, industrial, and wide-input-range embedded systems - with real-time register-level control via MPS I²C GUI on Windows 7+ platforms.

Technical Context

The EVKT-MP8859 enables full digital characterization of the MP8859GQ-0000 IC, including dynamic adjustment of VOUT (via I²C), OCP/OVP mode selection (hiccup vs. latch-off), PG delay enable, discharge control, and line drop compensation. All register changes are volatile and reset on power cycle.

Hardware integration relies on the EVKT-USBI2C-02 interface, which implements USB-to-I²C bridging with PMBus support and requires USBXpress driver installation. The EV8859-Q-00B board measures 6.35 cm × 6.35 cm and operates across the full 2.8V–22V input range, matching the MP8859's native specification.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVKT-MP8859 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for power architecture prototyping, MP8859 parameter validation, and I²C-based DC/DC converter qualification requiring stable component supply and traceable evaluation tooling.

Supply support for EVKT-MP8859 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 design expertise in integrated DC/DC converters, LED drivers, and motor controllers.

The MP8859 product line targets high-efficiency, digitally configurable buck-boost regulation in space-constrained applications where input voltage varies widely - such as USB PD adapters, portable medical devices, and industrial IoT edge nodes.

FAQ

Does the EVKT-MP8859 retain I²C configuration after power-down?

No. All register modifications made via the MPS I²C GUI - including output voltage, current limit, and protection mode settings - are volatile and reset to factory defaults upon power cycle. Persistent configuration requires external non-volatile storage or firmware implementation outside the evaluation kit.

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

The EVKT-USBI2C-02 serves as the USB-to-I²C bridge between the host PC and the EV8859-Q-00B board. It implements USBXpress-based communication, supports PMBus commands, and enables bidirectional register access without requiring custom hardware interfaces or microcontroller programming.

Can the EVKT-MP8859 evaluate thermal performance under load?

Yes. The kit supports real-time monitoring of thermal shutdown events (triggered at 150°C die temperature) and recovery (at ~130°C). Users can observe hiccup-mode behavior during overcurrent/overvoltage faults and validate thermal derating curves using externally applied loads and ambient temperature control.

Is Windows 10 or 11 required, or does the GUI support older OS versions?

The MPS I²C GUI officially supports Windows 7 and later. While Windows 10 and 11 are fully compatible, Windows 7 remains functional if .NET Framework 4.0 is installed. No macOS or Linux GUI version is provided; operation is strictly Windows-hosted.

What happens if the EVKT-USBI2C-02 driver fails to install?

Driver failure prevents GUI communication and results in "No Slave Found" or "Device is not available" errors. Resolution requires manual installation of the correct USBXpress driver (x86 or x64) from the Tdrive-8859 thumb drive - not CyUSB3 drivers used by legacy USBI2C-01 hardware.

Are individual kit components like EV8859-Q-00B available for separate purchase?

Yes. Monolithic Power Systems lists EV8859-Q-00B (MP8859 evaluation board), EVKT-USBI2C-02 (USB-to-I²C interface), and Tdrive-8859 (GUI software drive) as orderable part numbers. These may be procured individually through MPS or authorized distributors to replace damaged items or scale lab deployments.