Renesas ISL8107EVAL1Z

Overview

ISL8107EVAL1Z from Intersil (now Renesas) is a single-phase non-synchronous buck PWM controller evaluation board featuring integrated high-side N-channel MOSFET gate drivers, 9V–75V input operation, 100kHz–600kHz programmable switching frequency, and voltage-mode control with feedforward compensation. It supports point-of-load DC/DC conversion in telecom/datacom power modules.

For engineers reviewing the ISL8107EVAL1Z datasheet, ISL8107EVAL1Z pinout, ISL8107EVAL1Z application, or ISL8107EVAL1Z equivalent, this evaluation platform enables rapid validation of the ISL8107 controller's soft-start behavior, overcurrent protection using r_DS(ON) sensing, synchronization capability, thermal shutdown response, and PGOOD signaling under real-world load transients and input voltage variation.

Technical Context

The ISL8107EVAL1Z implements a complete reference design for the ISL8107 PWM controller IC, including all external components required for stable 5V or 12V output regulation: bootstrap network (BOOT, D_BOOT, C_BOOT), feedback divider (R1/R2), compensation network (R3/C1/C2/C3/C4), OCSET current-sense circuit (ROCSET/COCSET), soft-start capacitor (CSS), and SYNC termination. It validates the controller's voltage feedforward architecture, where VFF sets oscillator ramp amplitude to 0.11×VFF for constant loop gain across 9–75V input.

Board-level functionality includes hiccup-mode short-circuit protection triggered by PHASE-pin current sampling with 200ns blanking, thermal shutdown at +150°C with +40°C hysteresis, and PGOOD assertion when FB voltage remains within ±14% of 1.192V reference. The layout adheres to QFN-16 (5×5 mm) thermal pad grounding requirements using ≥5 vias to SGND/PGND planes.

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL8107EVAL1Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for telecom/datacom power modules, industrial point-of-load converters, and test & measurement instrument DC/DC subsystems requiring stable component supply and validated reference designs.

Supply support for ISL8107EVAL1Z 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 Corporation, now part of Renesas Electronics, is a semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog and power management ICs for industrial, communications, and computing applications.

The ISL8107EVAL1Z belongs to Renesas' legacy high-voltage buck controller evaluation platform family, designed to accelerate development of robust, efficient non-synchronous DC/DC converters operating from unregulated 9–75V inputs in space-constrained systems.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ISL8107EVAL1Z evaluation board?

The ISL8107EVAL1Z is a fully assembled demonstration and development platform for the ISL8107 single-phase buck PWM controller. It provides a proven layout, component selection, and test points to validate the controller's voltage-mode operation, soft-start timing, r_DS(ON)-based overcurrent protection, synchronization capability, and thermal shutdown behavior before custom PCB design. The board directly implements the typical application circuit shown in the ISL8107 datasheet (FN6605).

Does the ISL8107EVAL1Z support synchronous rectification?

No, the ISL8107EVAL1Z does not support synchronous rectification. It is designed exclusively for use with the ISL8107 - a non-synchronous buck controller that drives only a high-side N-channel MOSFET (UGATE output) and relies on an external Schottky diode (D1) for low-side conduction. The controller lacks a complementary low-side gate drive output, and the evaluation board includes no provision for replacing D1 with a second MOSFET.

How is overcurrent protection implemented on the ISL8107EVAL1Z?

Overcurrent protection on the ISL8107EVAL1Z uses the ISL8107's lossless r_DS(ON) sensing method. A resistor (ROCSET) and capacitor (COCSET) connect the OCSET pin to the MOSFET drain. An internal 104µA current source develops a voltage across ROCSET, which is compared against the voltage drop across the MOSFET's r_DS(ON) measured at the PHASE pin. Upon fault detection, the ISL8107EVAL1Z enters hiccup mode - cycling through four dummy soft-start timeouts followed by one full soft-start attempt.

Can the ISL8107EVAL1Z be synchronized to an external clock signal?

Yes, the ISL8107EVAL1Z supports external clock synchronization via the SYNC pin (Pin 4 of the ISL8107). When enabled, the rising edge of the external clock terminates the internal RT/CT oscillator ramp, locking the switching frequency to the external source. The board includes a dedicated SYNC test point and requires the RT/CT natural frequency to be set lower than the sync input frequency. If unused, the SYNC pin must be tied to ground per the ISL8107 datasheet.

What thermal management features are validated by the ISL8107EVAL1Z?

The ISL8107EVAL1Z validates the ISL8107's integrated thermal protection: shutdown occurs at +150°C junction temperature with +40°C hysteresis (re-enable at +110°C). The board implements the recommended thermal pad grounding - the exposed metal pad under the QFN-16 package is connected to the SGND/PGND plane using at least five vias - ensuring accurate thermal response and reliable heat dissipation during sustained high-current operation.