Renesas ISL6261EVAL1Z

Overview

ISL6261EVAL1Z from Intersil is an evaluation board for the ISL6261 single-phase IMVP-6® core voltage regulator IC, designed to deliver up to 25A output with 0.5% system voltage accuracy, R3™ modulator architecture, and integrated 2A gate drivers. It supports DCR/resistive current sensing, differential remote sensing at the CPU die, and dynamic VID voltage adjustment from 0.300V to 1.500V in 12.5mV steps for Intel mobile CPUs.

For engineers reviewing the ISL6261EVAL1Z datasheet, ISL6261EVAL1Z application notes, ISL6261EVAL1Z schematic, or ISL6261EVAL1Z board layout, this evaluation platform enables rapid validation of IMVP-6® compliance, load-line accuracy, diode emulation efficiency modes, thermal monitoring, and transient response under real CPU load conditions.

Technical Context

The ISL6261EVAL1Z implements Intel IMVP-6® protocol via hardware control signals (DPRSTP#, DPRSLPVR, VR_ON) and supports both forced CCM and diode emulation modes-enabling automatic transition between continuous conduction mode at heavy load and discontinuous conduction mode at light load. Its R3™ modulator dynamically adjusts switching frequency during transients for faster response than fixed-frequency PWM.

It integrates a 7-bit VID DAC, differential remote sense amplifier (VDIFF/VSEN/RTN), droop-based current sensing (VSUM/DROOP/OCSET), and thermal protection via NTC network on VR_TT#. The board accommodates either inductor DCR or precision shunt resistor current sensing per Figures 2 and 3 of FN9251.

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL6261EVAL1Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for Intel mobile CPU power delivery validation, IMVP-6® compliance testing, notebook motherboard reference design verification, and high-efficiency buck regulator development requiring stable component supply and full documentation support.

Supply support for ISL6261EVAL1Z 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 precision analog, power management, and interface ICs for computing, industrial, and communications applications.

The ISL6261 product line was engineered specifically for Intel IMVP-6® mobile CPU core voltage regulation - delivering high accuracy, fast transient response, and adaptive efficiency modes across active and deeper sleep states.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ISL6261EVAL1Z evaluation board?

The ISL6261EVAL1Z is a fully assembled and tested evaluation platform for the ISL6261 IMVP-6® core regulator IC. It enables engineers to validate voltage regulation accuracy, load-line compliance, diode emulation efficiency, transient response, and thermal behavior under real CPU-like load conditions before final system integration. The ISL6261EVAL1Z includes all necessary passive components, MOSFETs, and sensing networks per the ISL6261 datasheet.

Does the ISL6261EVAL1Z support both DCR and resistive current sensing?

Yes, the ISL6261EVAL1Z supports both current sensing methods as defined in the ISL6261 datasheet. Jumpers and layout provisions allow users to configure for inductor DCR sensing (with NTC thermistor compensation network) or precision shunt resistor sensing. This flexibility lets designers match the sensing method used in their target application and verify performance across both implementations using the same ISL6261EVAL1Z board.

How does the ISL6261EVAL1Z implement IMVP-6® deeper sleep mode?

The ISL6261EVAL1Z implements IMVP-6® deeper sleep mode via dedicated control signals: DPRSLPVR (logic high), DPRSTP# (logic low), and optional FDE (logic high). When configured per Table 2 of FN9251, these signals enable diode emulation or enhanced diode emulation mode - reducing switching frequency and improving light-load efficiency. The board routes these signals to accessible test points and headers for easy CPU-mode signal injection during testing of the ISL6261EVAL1Z.

What protections are implemented and verified on the ISL6261EVAL1Z?

The ISL6261EVAL1Z validates all ISL6261-integrated protections: overvoltage (1.7V immediate shutdown and +200mV 1ms delay), undervoltage (−300mV for 1ms), overcurrent (120µs delay, plus way-overcurrent <2µs), and overtemperature (via VR_TT# open-drain output triggered by NTC voltage drop below 1.18V). These are tested using calibrated load steps, fault injection, and thermal chamber profiling to confirm correct latch behavior and reset conditions per Table 3 of FN9251.

Can the ISL6261EVAL1Z be used to evaluate R3™ modulator performance?

Yes, the ISL6261EVAL1Z provides direct access to key R3™ modulator signals - including COMP, VW, FB, VDIFF, and PHASE - enabling oscilloscope-based observation of variable-frequency transient response, ripple rejection, and error amplifier dynamics. The board's layout minimizes noise coupling, and its documented test points allow precise measurement of R3™'s faster transient recovery versus fixed-frequency controllers, as characterized in the ISL6261 datasheet.