Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EVQ7200A-L-00A

Overview

EVQ7200A-L-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is a fully assembled, AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified evaluation board for the MPQ7200A synchronous buck LED driver IC. It delivers up to 3A constant LED current from a 6V–42V input, operates at 410kHz fixed-frequency hysteretic control, and supports PWM and two-step dimming for automotive lighting validation.

For engineers reviewing the EVQ7200A-L-00A datasheet, EVQ7200A-L-00A pinout, EVQ7200A-L-00A application, or EVQ7200A-L-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid characterization of efficiency (96.22% peak), EMI performance (CISPR25 Class 5 compliant), thermal behavior, fault response, and dimming functionality under real-world LED load conditions.

Technical Context

The EVQ7200A-L-00A implements the MPQ7200A IC in buck topology with integrated high- and low-side MOSFETs, using constant-frequency hysteretic control to eliminate loop compensation while ensuring fast transient response. Input voltage range is 6V–42V, supporting 12V/24V/36V automotive systems.

It features dedicated EN/DIM pin for digital enable and dual-mode dimming (100Hz–2kHz PWM or resistor-programmable two-step duty cycles), ISET pin for precise LED current setting (e.g., 5.36kΩ = 3A), and FAULT pin for open/short LED and IREF/ISET fault detection - all validated per AEC-Q100 stress requirements.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVQ7200A-L-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive lighting development, LED driver qualification, and AEC-Q100-compliant power subsystem validation requiring stable component supply and traceable reference hardware.

Supply support for EVQ7200A-L-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 for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications, with design focus on integration, efficiency, and reliability.

The EVQ7200A-L-00A belongs to MPS's automotive-grade LED driver evaluation platform family, engineered specifically to accelerate design-in of AEC-Q100-compliant constant-current drivers for exterior lighting systems.

FAQ

What input voltage range does the EVQ7200A-L-00A support?

The board accepts 6V to 42V DC input, covering nominal 12V and 24V automotive systems, including cold-crank (down to ~6V) and load-dump (up to 42V) conditions. Input filtering includes 47μF electrolytic (CIN7) and multiple ceramic capacitors to damp LC oscillation and suppress transients.

How is LED current set on this evaluation board?

LED current is set via resistor R5 connected to the ISET pin of the MPQ7200A IC. Using Equation I_LED(A) = 16 / R₅(kΩ), a 5.36kΩ resistor yields 3A output. The board ships with R5 = 5.36kΩ pre-installed, and alternative values (e.g., 13.3kΩ for 1.2A) can be substituted per design needs.

Does the board support both PWM and analog dimming?

It supports digital PWM dimming (100Hz–2kHz applied to EN/DIM pin) and two-step dimming (resistor-programmed duty cycle via R3). Analog dimming is not supported; brightness control is exclusively via duty-cycle modulation, preserving color consistency and avoiding low-frequency flicker.

What fault protection features are implemented and how are they signaled?

The board monitors LED open/short, ISET/IREF shorts/opens, and FAULT pin shorting. All faults assert the FAULT pin low and disable switching. Fault status is accessible via test point and can be observed on oscilloscope during startup, dimming, or fault injection tests as shown in Figures 10–17 of the reference document.

Is thermal derating supported, and how is it configured?

Yes - NTC-based thermal derating is supported by connecting an NTC thermistor between NTC and AGND pins, with R4 (10kΩ default) selected per the formula (0.18 × R_IREF) / (50 × V_IREF) < R₄ < 2V / 0.76μA. Default R4 = 10kΩ enables derating when board temperature exceeds threshold defined by NTC resistance curve.

Can this board be used for buck-boost or SEPIC topologies?

No - the EVQ7200A-L-00A is strictly a buck-mode evaluation board. The MPQ7200A IC itself is a buck-only controller; the schematic, layout, and component selection (e.g., single inductor L2, no flyback diode or boost capacitor) are optimized exclusively for step-down operation from VIN to VLED.