Renesas ISL8115EVAL2Z

Overview

ISL8115EVAL2Z from Renesas Electronics is an evaluation board for the ISL8115 synchronous buck PWM controller, configured as a 5V/20A wide-input DC-DC converter operating from 25V to 36V input. It implements voltage-mode control with input voltage feed-forward, features integrated 4A gate drivers, and supports 220kHz fixed-frequency operation with diode emulation mode for light-load efficiency.

For engineers reviewing the ISL8115EVAL2Z datasheet, ISL8115EVAL2Z pinout, ISL8115EVAL2Z application, or ISL8115EVAL2Z equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of high-current POL power delivery in telecom/datacom systems, RF amplifier biasing, and industrial wide-input-range buck regulation - with verified 92.5% efficiency at 50% load and ±5% output regulation under full 20A transient steps.

Technical Context

The ISL8115EVAL2Z implements Intersil's (now Renesas) ISL8115 controller in a fully assembled, tested reference design using dual BSC039N06NS MOSFETs and a 2.6µH power inductor. It leverages voltage-mode PWM with leading-edge modulation and input feed-forward to maintain stable loop gain across its 25–36V input range.

Board-level protection includes input undervoltage lockout (22.4V rising / 24.2V falling), overcurrent threshold at 22A average (25A peak), output overvoltage/undervoltage detection, thermal shutdown, and a power-good open-drain signal - all directly managed by the ISL8115 IC without external supervision.

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL8115EVAL2Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for telecom power supply validation, datacom point-of-load (POL) development, and RF amplifier biasing applications requiring stable component supply, fast turnaround, and production-ready reference design fidelity.

Supply support for ISL8115EVAL2Z 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, infrastructure, and IoT markets.

The ISL8115EVAL2Z belongs to Renesas' high-performance power management evaluation platform family, designed to accelerate adoption of wide-input synchronous buck controllers in demanding telecom and industrial power systems.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ISL8115EVAL2Z?

The ISL8115EVAL2Z is a fully assembled evaluation board for the ISL8115 synchronous buck PWM controller. It delivers a regulated 5V/20A output from a 25–36V input, enabling engineers to validate performance, test protection features, and refine layout practices before custom design. The ISL8115EVAL2Z integrates all critical components - including dual BSC039N06NS MOSFETs, 2.6µH inductor, and precision feedback network - for immediate bench testing.

Does the ISL8115EVAL2Z support external frequency synchronization?

Yes, the ISL8115EVAL2Z supports external clock synchronization. Applying a 150kHz–1.5MHz square wave (10–90% duty cycle) to the FSET pin synchronizes the internal oscillator. To enable this feature, R27 must be removed per the AN1882 user manual. This capability allows the ISL8115EVAL2Z to align switching with system clocks and reduce beat frequencies in multi-rail power systems.

What input voltage thresholds trigger undervoltage lockout on the ISL8115EVAL2Z?

The ISL8115EVAL2Z implements input UVP with a rising threshold of 22.4V and a falling threshold of 24.2V, providing hysteresis to prevent oscillation near the trip point. These thresholds are set by the ISL8115 controller's internal circuitry and verified in the AN1882 test data. Operation is guaranteed only within the specified 25–36V input range, and the ISL8115EVAL2Z will not start below 22.4V.

Can the output voltage of the ISL8115EVAL2Z be adjusted, and how?

Yes, the ISL8115EVAL2Z output voltage is adjustable via resistor divider R1/R4. Per Equation 1 in AN1882, V_OUT = 0.6V × (1 + R1/R4). To preserve compensation stability, only R4 should be modified while maintaining the R11/R8 ratio identical to R1/R4 for VMON monitoring. The default configuration yields 5.0V, and the board supports other outputs within the ISL8115's 0.6V–5.5V range.

What protection features are implemented on the ISL8115EVAL2Z board?

The ISL8115EVAL2Z implements comprehensive hardware-based protections: input UVP (22.4V/24.2V), output OVP/UVP, overcurrent protection (22A average, 25A peak), thermal shutdown, and power-good signaling. All are handled natively by the ISL8115 IC without external ICs or firmware. The board also supports pre-bias start-up and diode emulation mode for improved light-load efficiency - features confirmed in AN1882's performance curves and schematic.