Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EVQ7228-QJ-00A

Overview

EVQ7228-QJ-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is an AEC-Q100 Grade 1 evaluation board for the MPQ7228 16-channel current-sink LED driver IC, supporting up to 200mA per channel with 12-bit PWM and 6-bit analog dimming, adaptive feedback control (AFC), UART host interface, and functional safety /FS indicator - designed for automotive dynamic lighting validation.

For engineers reviewing the EVQ7228-QJ-00A datasheet, EVQ7228-QJ-00A pinout, EVQ7228-QJ-00A application, or EVQ7228-QJ-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid characterization of AFC-regulated LED current accuracy, multi-channel synchronization, fault diagnostics (LED open/short, OTP programming, thermal shutdown), and CISPR25 Class 5 EMI compliance in automotive lighting subsystems.

Technical Context

The EVQ7228-QJ-00A integrates the MPQ7228GQJE-AEC1 (QFN-32) and MPQ4323CGD-AEC1 (QFN-12) to form a complete LED driver reference system. It implements real-time AFC by adjusting pre-regulator VBIAS to maintain 300mV headroom across all 16 channels, enabling stable current delivery under varying VLED (4.8–7V per two-LED string).

Communication uses UART via CN2 (2×5 header) and Virtual Bench Pro 4.0 GUI, supporting volatile/non-volatile register access (e.g., CH_EN at 0x03, CHx_PWM at 0x07–0x16, CHx_ANA_DIM at 0x17–0x26). Fault reporting includes /FS pin assertion and diagnostic registers (DIAG_STAT_1–3) for LED open, short, ISET fault, and OTP write-cycle tracking.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVQ7228-QJ-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive lighting development, AEC-Q100 qualification testing, and functional safety (ISO 26262 ASIL-B support) requiring stable component supply and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for EVQ7228-QJ-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 centers in the US, China, and Taiwan.

The EVQ7228-QJ-00A belongs to MPS's automotive-grade evaluation platform family, developed specifically to accelerate validation of LED driver ICs in AEC-Q100-compliant lighting systems with integrated functional safety and EMC robustness.

FAQ

What is the default LED current setting on the EVQ7228-QJ-00A?

The board defaults to 200 mA per channel, set by R10 = 3.01 kΩ per the formula ILED(mA) = 600 / R10(kΩ). This value is confirmed in Table 2 and validated in the Steady State test results with two 6V LED strings.

How does the Adaptive Feedback Control (AFC) function operate on this board?

AFC dynamically adjusts VBIAS_PRE via the FB divider (R3 = 80.6 kΩ, R4 = 40.2 kΩ) to maintain 300 mV headroom across all channels. The MPQ4323C buck regulator output is tuned in real time so that VBIAS − VLED remains constant at minimum required voltage.

Which communication interface and software are required to configure the MPQ7228 via this board?

Configuration requires the VBPro and EVKT-USBSPIUART-00 USB-to-UART interface, used with Virtual Bench Pro 4.0 GUI. License code and secret key are mandatory; first-time users must contact an MPS FAE for driver files and license provisioning.

Can the EVQ7228-QJ-00A support more than 16 LED channels?

Yes - the MPQ7228 supports daisy-chaining up to 16 ICs via UART, enabling 256-channel systems. The board itself hosts one MPQ7228 (16 channels), but its schematic and firmware architecture are designed for seamless multi-board cascading.

What fault conditions trigger the /FS (failsafe) pin to assert low?

The /FS pin pulls low on detection of LED open, LED short, ISET pin open/short, or over-temperature events. Each fault sets corresponding bits in DIAG_STAT_1–3 registers, and the pin remains low until the fault is cleared and the device is reset.

Is OTP memory programming supported, and how is it performed?

Yes - OTP programming is supported via Virtual Bench Pro's "Non-Volatile Memory" function. It requires VBIAS = 10 V, EN pulled high, and successful volatile register access first. After writing, remaining write cycles decrement; zero indicates full OTP usage.