Renesas ISL6261AEVAL2Z

Overview

ISL6261AEVAL2Z from Intersil is an evaluation board for the ISL6261A single-phase IMVP-6® core voltage regulator IC, designed to deliver up to 25A to Intel mobile CPUs with 0.5% system voltage accuracy, R3™ modulator architecture, and integrated 2A gate drivers. It supports DCR/resistive current sensing, differential remote voltage sensing at the CPU die, and three efficiency-optimized operation modes (CCM/DEM/EDEM).

For engineers reviewing the ISL6261AEVAL2Z datasheet, ISL6261AEVAL2Z application, ISL6261AEVAL2Z setup, or ISL6261AEVAL2Z compatible controller ICs, this board enables rapid validation of IMVP-6® compliant power delivery, transient response characterization under load steps, power monitor (PMON) signal calibration, and thermal performance assessment in laptop and ultrabook reference designs.

Technical Context

The ISL6261AEVAL2Z implements Intel IMVP-6® protocol via the ISL6261A controller, which uses patented R3™ Robust Ripple Regulator modulation to achieve faster transient response than fixed-frequency PWM by dynamically increasing switching frequency during load steps. It integrates a unity-gain differential amplifier for remote VSEN/RTN sensing and supports both lossless inductor DCR and precision resistive current sensing topologies.

Operation mode selection (CCM, Diode Emulation Mode, Enhanced Diode Emulation Mode) is controlled by DPRSTP#, DPRSLPVR, and FDE signals, enabling automatic transition between high-efficiency light-load DCM and high-performance CCM based on CPU sleep state. The board provides full access to PMON (CPU instantaneous power), VR_TT# (thermal overload), and CLK_EN# (system PLL clock enable) signals for system-level integration testing.

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL6261AEVAL2Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for laptop motherboard development, ultrabook power architecture validation, IMVP-6® compliance testing, and CPU core voltage regulator qualification requiring stable component supply and documented reference design support.

Supply support for ISL6261AEVAL2Z 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

Intersil (now part of Renesas Electronics) is a semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog and mixed-signal ICs for power management, precision analog, and interface applications.

The ISL6261A product line was designed specifically for Intel IMVP-6® mobile CPU core voltage regulation, emphasizing fast transient response, multi-mode efficiency optimization, and accurate remote die voltage control in space-constrained portable platforms.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ISL6261AEVAL2Z evaluation board?

The ISL6261AEVAL2Z evaluation board is a fully assembled and tested platform for validating the ISL6261A single-phase IMVP-6® core voltage regulator IC. It enables engineers to evaluate dynamic voltage scaling, transient response under CPU load steps, power monitor (PMON) signal fidelity, thermal protection behavior via VR_TT#, and seamless mode transitions between CCM, DEM, and EDEM - all critical for qualifying laptop and ultrabook CPU power delivery subsystems before final PCB spin.

Does the ISL6261AEVAL2Z support both DCR and resistive current sensing?

Yes, the ISL6261AEVAL2Z supports both current sensing methods as implemented in the ISL6261A. It includes provisioned circuitry for inductor DCR sensing with NTC thermistor network for temperature compensation, and also allows direct substitution with a precision shunt resistor on the low-side path. This dual-path flexibility lets users validate load-line accuracy, droop response, and overcurrent protection behavior under real-world thermal and layout conditions specific to their target platform.

How does the ISL6261AEVAL2Z demonstrate R3™ modulator performance?

The ISL6261AEVAL2Z enables direct measurement of the ISL6261A's R3™ Robust Ripple Regulator behavior through accessible test points for PHASE, COMP, and PWM-related signals. During load transients, the board shows variable switching frequency increase - verified via oscilloscope capture - confirming faster energy delivery versus fixed-frequency controllers. This is observable in both CCM and DEM modes, and correlates directly with reduced output voltage deviation during 0–15A load steps typical of Intel mobile CPU active-to-idle transitions.

Can the ISL6261AEVAL2Z be used to calibrate the PMON (power monitor) output?

Yes, the ISL6261AEVAL2Z provides direct access to the PMON pin and associated circuitry, allowing precise calibration of the analog power monitor output. Since VPMON = 35 × (VSEN−VRTN) × (VDROOP−VO), users can correlate measured PMON voltage against known CPU core power (derived from simultaneous VSEN, VO, and load current measurements) to verify linearity, bandwidth, and DC offset across the full 0.3–1.5V output range and 0–25A load spectrum - essential for system-level power budgeting and battery life optimization.

What CPU interface signals are brought out on the ISL6261AEVAL2Z board?

The ISL6261AEVAL2Z exposes all key IMVP-6® interface signals: seven VID lines (VID0–VID6), VR_ON, DPRSTP#, DPRSLPVR, FDE, CLK_EN#, PGOOD, and VR_TT#. These are routed to headers or test points with defined logic thresholds (e.g., VR_ON high = >2.3V, DPRSTP# low = <0.3V), enabling direct connection to CPU test fixtures, FPGA-based protocol emulators, or host system BIOS debug interfaces for full protocol compliance verification and timing analysis per Intel IMVP-6® specification.