Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EVQ3364-R-01A

Overview

EVQ3364-R-01A from Monolithic Power Systems is an AEC-Q100 qualified evaluation board for the MPQ3364 four-channel boost WLED driver IC, designed to demonstrate backlight driving for small-to-mid-sized LCD panels. It supports 3.5V–36V input, delivers up to 150mA per channel, achieves 15,000:1 dimming ratio via I²C-controlled analog/PWM/mixed dimming, and integrates phase-shift noise reduction for clean PWM dimming.

For engineers reviewing the EVQ3364-R-01A datasheet, EVQ3364-R-01A pinout, EVQ3364-R-01A application, or EVQ3364-R-01A equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of MPQ3364's I²C register control, thermal foldback behavior, multi-string current matching (±2.5%), and protection features including OCP, OVP, OTP, LED short/open detection.

Technical Context

The EVQ3364-R-01A implements the MPQ3364 IC in a QFN-24 (4mm × 4mm) package with peak-current-mode PWM control, four independent cathode-side current sinks, and selectable switching frequency via resistor, I²C, or external clock. It uses low-R_DS(on) internal MOSFETs and low-headroom architecture to maximize efficiency across wide VIN and VLED ranges.

Dimming is supported in three modes-analogue (via I²C DAC), PWM (external or internally generated), and mixed-with mode selection via I²C or MIX/AD pin. Phase-shift function staggers channel PWM edges to suppress EMI during high-frequency dimming, while thermal regulation reduces LED current above threshold temperature.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVQ3364-R-01A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive instrument cluster backlighting, industrial HMI displays, and medical panel lighting requiring stable component supply, AEC-Q100 compliance, and rapid prototyping of multi-string WLED drivers.

Supply support for EVQ3364-R-01A 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 centers in the US, China, and Taiwan, and global distribution through authorized partners.

The MPQ3364 product line targets automotive and industrial LCD backlight applications, delivering high-efficiency, low-noise, and AEC-Q100 qualified WLED drivers with flexible digital control and robust fault handling.

FAQ

What is the primary purpose of the EVQ3364-R-01A evaluation board?

The EVQ3364-R-01A is a functional demonstration platform for the MPQ3364 four-channel boost WLED driver. It allows engineers to validate real-world performance-including current matching accuracy (±2.5%), dimming fidelity, thermal foldback behavior, and I²C register configuration-without designing custom hardware.

Which IC does the board feature, and what package is used?

The board integrates the MPQ3364GR IC in a QFN-24 (4 mm × 4 mm) package with exposed thermal pad. This matches the production-grade footprint and thermal interface requirements, enabling direct correlation between evaluation results and final PCB layout performance.

How is dimming controlled on this evaluation board?

Dimming is configurable via three methods: analog (I²C DAC register), external PWM signal applied to the PWM pin, or mixed mode combining both. Mode selection is done via I²C command or the MIX/AD pin, and phase-shift timing eliminates beat frequencies during multi-channel PWM operation.

What protection functions are implemented and how are they verified?

The board demonstrates OCP, OVP, OTP, LED short, and LED open protection as implemented in the MPQ3364. These are verified using the onboard test points and GUI-based register monitoring: for example, forcing LED open triggers automatic shutdown and flagging in STATUS registers accessible via I²C.

Is the board compatible with standard I²C development tools?

Yes-the board exposes SCL, SDA, and GND pins compatible with MPS's EVKT-USBI2C-02 kit. The GUI software (downloadable from mps.com) provides full register read/write access, real-time status monitoring, and preconfigured scripts for common dimming and fault-test scenarios.

What is the recommended LED load configuration for initial testing?

Connect four LED strings (e.g., 10–20 white LEDs each) between LED+ and LED1–LED4 terminals. Ensure total forward voltage per string remains below 50 V. Use 220 pF capacitors (C17–C20) from each LEDx node to GND to suppress high-frequency ringing, per design recommendation.