Renesas ISL62386HIEVAL1Z

Overview

ISL62386HIEVAL1Z from Intersil (now Renesas) is a quad-output system power supply evaluation board for notebook computers, built around the ISL62386 controller IC. It implements two independent PWM buck regulators (programmable 0.6V–5.5V, up to 8A/15A typical) and two fixed LDOs (5V/100mA and 3.3V/100mA), with R3 control architecture, ultrasonic DCM mode (~28kHz), and integrated MOSFET gate drivers for high-side/low-side N-channel FETs.

For engineers reviewing the ISL62386HIEVAL1Z datasheet, ISL62386HIEVAL1Z pinout, ISL62386HIEVAL1Z application, or ISL62386HIEVAL1Z equivalent, this evaluation platform supports rapid validation of dual-buck + dual-LDO power tree sequencing, soft-start timing, PGOOD assertion, thermal monitoring, and switchover behavior between SMPS2 and LDO5 in battery-powered mobile systems.

Technical Context

The ISL62386HIEVAL1Z board hosts the ISL62386 controller in a 32-lead 5×5 TQFN package and implements full reference designs per Figures 1–4 of FN6831, supporting both inductor DCR and resistor-based current sensing. It enables configuration of switching frequencies from 200–600 kHz via external FSET resistors and supports three operating modes-CCM, DCM, and ultrasonic DCM-via the FCCM pin.

Board-level features include on-board power-up sequencing logic, digital soft-start, internal soft-stop output discharge, overvoltage/undervoltage/overcurrent protection, and thermal shutdown at 150°C. The design accommodates input voltage ranges from +5.5V to +25V and operates across –10°C to +100°C ambient.

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL62386HIEVAL1Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for notebook computer power validation, mobile device reference design verification, and embedded system battery-supply architecture prototyping requiring stable component supply, fast turnaround, and full documentation support.

Supply support for ISL62386HIEVAL1Z 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

Renesas Electronics (formerly Intersil) is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, power management, and embedded processing solutions for automotive, industrial, and computing applications.

The ISL62386HIEVAL1Z belongs to Renesas' notebook power management evaluation platform family, designed specifically to accelerate development of high-efficiency, multi-rail power systems for portable computing devices with stringent thermal and transient response requirements.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ISL62386HIEVAL1Z evaluation board?

The ISL62386HIEVAL1Z evaluation board demonstrates and validates the ISL62386 quad-output power controller in real-world notebook power architectures. It provides complete reference circuits for two synchronous buck converters (with DCR/resistor current sense options) and two fixed LDOs, enabling engineers to verify sequencing, efficiency, transient response, protection behavior, and FCCM mode selection before final design integration.

Does the ISL62386HIEVAL1Z support both resistor- and DCR-based current sensing?

Yes, the ISL62386HIEVAL1Z supports both current-sensing methods as shown in Figures 1–4 of the FN6831 datasheet. It includes configurable jumpers and layout provisions for either discrete sense-resistor placement or inductor DCR sensing networks, allowing direct comparison of accuracy, noise immunity, and thermal performance under varying load conditions for the ISL62386 controller.

How does the ISL62386HIEVAL1Z implement power sequencing between its outputs?

The ISL62386HIEVAL1Z leverages the ISL62386's native sequencing logic: EN1/EN2 and LDO3EN pins control startup order, while internal soft-start ramps each SMPS output to its programmed voltage. PGOOD asserts only after both SMPS outputs are regulated and fault-free. The board also demonstrates automatic LDO5-to-SMPS2 switchover at 4.8V, reducing quiescent loss during sustained 5V loads.

Can the ISL62386HIEVAL1Z be used to evaluate ultrasonic DCM mode?

Yes - the ISL62386HIEVAL1Z enables ultrasonic DCM mode by leaving the FCCM pin floating, which configures the ISL62386 to limit minimum switching frequency to approximately 28kHz. This eliminates audible noise in audio-sensitive applications while maintaining light-load efficiency, and the board's test points allow direct measurement of phase node waveforms and PGOOD timing under this mode.

What thermal management features are implemented on the ISL62386HIEVAL1Z board?

The ISL62386HIEVAL1Z incorporates thermal pad soldering for the ISL62386's exposed bottom pad (connected internally to AGND), multiple thermal vias under the IC and power MOSFETs, and copper pour areas tied to PGND/AGND planes. It fully supports the ISL62386's thermal monitor and protection circuitry, triggering shutdown at 150°C junction temperature and recovering at 135°C hysteresis - observable via onboard thermal test points and PGOOD flag behavior.