Renesas ISL8012EVAL1Z

Overview

ISL8012EVAL1Z from Renesas Electronics is an evaluation board for the ISL8012 2A synchronous buck regulator IC, designed to demonstrate full operation of the 1MHz, 2.7V–5.5V input, 0.8V–3.3V adjustable output DC/DC converter with integrated P/N-channel MOSFETs, 1ms POR timer, and selectable PWM/PFM mode. It supports rapid validation in low-power embedded power supply designs.

For engineers reviewing the ISL8012EVAL1Z datasheet, ISL8012EVAL1Z pinout, ISL8012EVAL1Z application, or ISL8012EVAL1Z equivalent, this board enables fast functional verification of voltage regulation, efficiency measurement at light/heavy loads, mode switching behavior, soft-start timing, and power-good assertion under real-world bias and load conditions.

Technical Context

The ISL8012EVAL1Z implements the ISL8012IRZ DFN-10 controller in a fully assembled, tested layout with 2.2µH power inductor (DR73-2R2-R), four 10µF X7R ceramic output capacitors, precision feedback resistors (R1/R2), and dual SPDT toggle switches (SW1/SW2) for enable and mode control. It features test points (J1/J2) for VIN, VOUT, PG, and LX waveforms.

Board-level design includes thermal relief for the exposed pad (EP), optimized high-current paths for PGND/SGND separation, and 100% duty-cycle capability verified at 1.8V output with 2A load. The preset 1.8V output is adjustable from 0.8V to 3.3V using Equation 1 and Equation 2 per AN1360 Rev 1.00.

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL8012EVAL1Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for DC/DC POL module development, µC/FPGA power sequencing validation, and plug-in DC/DC module qualification requiring stable component supply and documented reference performance.

Supply support for ISL8012EVAL1Z 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 is a global semiconductor leader delivering microcontrollers, analog power, and SoC solutions for automotive, industrial, and enterprise applications, with strong heritage in high-efficiency power management IP.

The ISL8012EVAL1Z belongs to Renesas' legacy Intersil analog power evaluation platform, engineered specifically to accelerate adoption of low-quiescent-current, high-density synchronous buck regulators in space-constrained battery-powered and point-of-load systems.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ISL8012EVAL1Z evaluation board?

The ISL8012EVAL1Z evaluation board is a fully assembled hardware platform designed to demonstrate and validate the electrical performance of the ISL8012IRZ 2A synchronous buck regulator. It enables engineers to measure efficiency, transient response, mode-switching behavior, power-good timing, and output adjustability without custom PCB design. The ISL8012EVAL1Z includes all necessary passive components, test points, and user controls to replicate real-world operating conditions for the ISL8012IC.

Does the ISL8012EVAL1Z support adjustable output voltage, and how is it configured?

Yes, the ISL8012EVAL1Z supports output voltage adjustment from 0.8V to 3.3V using the external resistor divider network (R1 and R2). Per AN1360 Rev 1.00, Equation 1 (VOUT = 0.8 × (1 + R1/R2)) and Equation 2 (R1 = R2 × ((VOUT/0.8) − 1)) define the relationship. With R2 fixed at 100kΩ on the board, users can calculate and replace R1 to achieve the desired output. The ISL8012EVAL1Z ships preset to 1.8V for immediate testing.

How do I configure forced PWM versus PFM mode on the ISL8012EVAL1Z?

Mode selection on the ISL8012EVAL1Z is controlled by SW2: set SW2 to "PWM" (OFF position) to force continuous PWM operation at light load, maintaining fixed 1MHz frequency and minimizing output ripple; set SW2 to "PFM" (ON position) to enable pulse-frequency modulation for ultra-low quiescent current (~25µA) and peak efficiency at light loads. This configuration directly drives the MODE pin of the ISL8012IRZ on the ISL8012EVAL1Z board.

What test equipment is required to evaluate the ISL8012EVAL1Z?

To fully evaluate the ISL8012EVAL1Z, you need a 0–10V/3A DC power supply (for VIN), two electronic loads (capable of sinking ≥5A for load-step testing), a 100MHz quad-trace oscilloscope (to monitor VIN, VOUT, PG, and LX waveforms via J1/J2 test points), digital multimeters, and a signal generator (for RSI-triggered POR reset tests). All connections use standard 0.1"-spaced turret terminals (P4–P7) and compact scope probe points.

Is the ISL8012EVAL1Z RoHS compliant and what is its board revision?

Yes, the ISL8012EVAL1Z is RoHS compliant, as confirmed by its bill of materials (AN1360 Rev 1.00, Page 4), which specifies Pb-free passives, RoHS-compliant IC packaging (ISL8012IRZ), and compliant connectors. The board is identified as "REVC" in the ordering row and schematic documentation, indicating Revision C - the final validated version released with AN1360 Rev 1.00 in November 2009. The ISL8012EVAL1Z REVC board remains the only documented revision.