Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EVQ2246-Q-00A

Overview

EVQ2246-Q-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is a fully assembled and tested evaluation board for the MPQ2246GQE-AEC1 - a 6A, 6V AEC-Q100 qualified synchronous buck converter in QFN-9 (3mm×3mm). It supports 2.7V–6V input, 0.606V–6V adjustable output, configurable switching frequency (300kHz–2.2MHz), and dual operating modes (AAM/FCCM) for automotive infotainment and telematics power rails.

For engineers reviewing the EVQ2246-Q-00A datasheet, EVQ2246-Q-00A pinout, EVQ2246-Q-00A application, or EVQ2246-Q-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of MPQ2246's transient response, thermal performance, efficiency curves, and protection behavior under real-world load and line conditions - including PG signaling, OCP/SCP/OVP, and mode-selectable ripple/noise trade-offs.

Technical Context

The EVQ2246-Q-00A implements the MPQ2246's peak current-mode control architecture with integrated high-side and synchronous rectifier MOSFETs, eliminating external diode requirements. Its feedback network uses precision 1% resistors (R3/R4/R5) to set VOUT from 1.2V to 3.3V, while R6 adjusts for 1.8V nominal output per design.

Board-level features include selectable AAM/FCCM operation via MODE jumper, EN logic control (1.2V turn-on, 0.4V turn-off), open-drain PG monitoring (±15% VOUT window), and RFREQ-based frequency tuning (e.g., 2.1MHz at 9.31kΩ). Thermal performance is validated up to 108.8°C case rise at 6A with no forced airflow.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVQ2246-Q-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive infotainment systems, digital instrument clusters, telematics control units, and portable industrial instruments requiring stable component supply and AEC-Q100-compliant power validation.

Supply support for EVQ2246-Q-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 expertise in DC/DC converters, LED drivers, and motor drivers for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications.

The MPQ2246 product line delivers AEC-Q100 qualified synchronous buck regulators optimized for automotive subsystems demanding high efficiency, small footprint, and robust fault protection - especially where space-constrained PCB layouts and wide VIN ranges are critical.

FAQ

What input voltage range does the EVQ2246-Q-00A support?

The board supports 2.7V to 6V DC input, matching the MPQ2246's operational range. This covers automotive battery variations (cold crank, load dump) and portable instrument battery packs. Input capacitors include 22µF ceramic (C1A/C1B), 0.1µF ceramic (C1C), and 47µF electrolytic (C1D) for effective low- and high-frequency decoupling.

How is output voltage configured on this evaluation board?

VOUT is set using a three-resistor feedback divider (R3, R4, R5), with R3 = 10Ω and R4 = R5 = 100kΩ for 1.8V output. Equation (1) in the quick start guide defines R5 = R4 × (0.606V / VOUT − 1)−¹. The board includes pre-populated 1% film resistors and pads for custom values to achieve outputs from 1.2V to 3.3V.

Does the EVQ2246-Q-00A support both AAM and FCCM modes?

Yes - the MODE jumper selects between Advanced Asynchronous Modulation (AAM) for highest light-load efficiency and Forced Continuous Conduction Mode (FCCM) for fixed-frequency operation and lower output ripple. Test waveforms confirm distinct SW node behavior and VOUT stability in both modes across 0A–6A loads.

What protection features are validated on this board?

All MPQ2246 protections are hardware-verified: over-current (valley-current detection), short-circuit (SCP entry/recovery waveforms shown), over-voltage (OVP clamping), and thermal shutdown with auto-recovery. PG signal timing and fault recovery sequences are captured in oscilloscope plots across startup, shutdown, and transient events.

Is the MPQ2246 IC on this board AEC-Q100 qualified?

Yes - the U1 device is MPQ2246GQE-AEC1, explicitly qualified to AEC-Q100 Grade 1 (−40°C to +125°C ambient). The evaluation board itself is designed to maintain thermal integrity and signal fidelity under these conditions, with 2oz copper layers and validated case temperature rise data up to 108.8°C at 6A.

Can I adjust the switching frequency on this board?

Yes - frequency is set by an external resistor (R7 = 9.31kΩ) connected to the FREQ/SYNC pin, enabling 2.1MHz operation. The fSW vs. RFREQ curve confirms tunability from 300kHz to 2.2MHz. No soldering is required to change frequency - simply replace R7 with a resistor matching the target fSW per the MPQ2246 datasheet equation.