Renesas ISL6420BEVAL2Z

Overview

ISL6420BEVAL2Z from Renesas Electronics (formerly Intersil) is an evaluation board for the ISL6420B advanced single synchronous buck PWM controller IC. It supports 5.5V–28V input, delivers adjustable output down to 0.6V, operates up to 1.4MHz, and implements lossless overcurrent protection using upper MOSFET r_DS(ON) sensing-enabling high-efficiency DC/DC conversion for microprocessor core supplies and DDR termination.

For engineers reviewing the ISL6420BEVAL2Z datasheet, ISL6420BEVAL2Z pinout, ISL6420BEVAL2Z application, or ISL6420BEVAL2Z equivalent, this board provides validated reference design, full protection monitoring (PGOOD, OVP, UVP, OTP), voltage margining capability, and external reference tracking mode-critical for evaluating power integrity in networking, embedded, and high-performance computing power rails.

Technical Context

The ISL6420BEVAL2Z implements a complete synchronous buck converter test platform centered on the ISL6420B controller, which uses voltage-mode PWM control with a 15MHz GBW error amplifier and 6V/µs slew rate to achieve fast transient response. It supports dual-input configurations: 5.5V–28V via VIN (with internal 5V LDO bias) or 5V±10% directly to VCC5.

Board-level features include programmable soft-start (via ENSS capacitor), adjustable switching frequency (100kHz–1.4MHz via RT resistor), PGOOD delay (via CDEL capacitor), and configurable voltage margining (±10% via VMSET resistor and GPIO1/GPIO2 logic). Protection functions are fully implemented: overvoltage (112–120% of setpoint), undervoltage (75–85%), thermal shutdown (150°C), and hiccup-mode overcurrent fault recovery.

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL6420BEVAL2Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for power supply validation, DDR bus termination design, microprocessor core rail development, and high-frequency DC/DC regulator qualification requiring stable component supply and pre-validated reference implementation.

Supply support for ISL6420BEVAL2Z 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 Corporation is a global semiconductor leader delivering trusted embedded design innovation, with deep expertise in analog, power management, and interface solutions for industrial, automotive, and computing applications.

The ISL6420B product line was developed by Intersil (acquired by Renesas in 2017) specifically for high-performance, high-efficiency synchronous buck regulation in microprocessor, ASIC, and DDR memory subsystems-emphasizing fast transient response, integrated protection, and flexible reference architecture.

FAQ

What is the primary purpose of the ISL6420BEVAL2Z evaluation board?

The ISL6420BEVAL2Z is a fully assembled and tested evaluation platform for the ISL6420B synchronous buck PWM controller. It enables rapid validation of power stage performance, protection behavior, voltage margining, and external reference tracking functionality-without requiring custom PCB design. Engineers use ISL6420BEVAL2Z to verify loop stability, transient response, and fault recovery before committing to production layouts.

Does the ISL6420BEVAL2Z support both 5V and wide-input (5.5V–28V) operation?

Yes. The ISL6420BEVAL2Z supports two input configurations per the ISL6420B datasheet: 5V±10% applied directly to the VCC5 pin (bypassing the internal LDO), or 5.5V–28V applied to the VIN pin (activating the internal 5V LDO). Jumper settings and schematic layout on ISL6420BEVAL2Z reflect both modes, allowing direct comparison of efficiency, noise, and startup behavior across input ranges.

How is overcurrent protection implemented on the ISL6420BEVAL2Z?

The ISL6420BEVAL2Z implements lossless overcurrent protection using the ISL6420B's built-in r_DS(ON)-based sensing. A resistor (ROCSET) connects the OCSET pin to the drain of the upper MOSFET; combined with the internal 100µA current source, it sets the trip threshold. When PHASE voltage drops below OCSET during upper-FET conduction, the controller enters hiccup mode-discharging the ENSS capacitor and restarting soft-start after cooling delays-ensuring robust short-circuit protection without sense resistors.

Can the ISL6420BEVAL2Z be used to evaluate DDR termination supplies?

Yes. The ISL6420BEVAL2Z supports DDR termination applications via its external reference tracking mode: when VMSET/MODE is tied high and GPIO1/REFIN receives 1.25V (e.g., from a VDDQ/2 divider), the ISL6420B regulates output to match that reference. REFOUT buffers the 1.25V for downstream VTT supplies. This configuration-documented on pages 5 and 15 of the FN6901 datasheet-is fully implemented and testable on ISL6420BEVAL2Z.

What is the role of the CDEL capacitor on the ISL6420BEVAL2Z?

The CDEL capacitor on ISL6420BEVAL2Z serves dual functions: it sets the PGOOD active delay (charged by 2µA current to 2.5V, yielding ~125ms for 0.1µF) and controls voltage margining slew rate (charged by 100µA current, yielding ~2.5ms for 0.1µF). This shared capacitor simplifies board design while enabling precise sequencing of power rails and controlled voltage ramping during system test-both critical for reliable DDR and processor supply validation.