Renesas ISL8117ADEMO4Z

Overview

The ISL8117ADEMO4Z from Renesas (formerly Intersil) is a fully assembled, tested buck-boost demonstration board built around the ISL8117A 60V synchronous buck controller. It delivers a regulated 12V output at up to 3A from a 6.5V–42V input, operates at 200kHz switching frequency, and features PGOOD indication, programmable soft-start, prebias start-up support, and comprehensive OCP/OVP/OTP/UVP protection - designed for rapid evaluation of high-voltage DC/DC conversion in industrial power supplies.

For engineers reviewing the ISL8117ADEMO4Z datasheet, ISL8117ADEMO4Z test setup, ISL8117ADEMO4Z schematic, or ISL8117ADEMO4Z layout guidelines, this board enables immediate validation of input range flexibility, load regulation stability under 3A, output ripple performance (170mV_P-P at 3A), thermal behavior with optional fan cooling, and controller-level feature integration including independent enable and external soft-start.

Technical Context

The ISL8117ADEMO4Z implements a non-isolated synchronous buck-boost topology using the ISL8117A controller driving three AON6248 N-channel MOSFETs (two upper, one lower) and a 11µH Pulse PG0936.113NL power inductor. Its current-mode control architecture with internal compensation simplifies design while enabling stable operation across wide VIN and load transients.

Input is applied via J1 (6.5V–42V), regulated output is delivered at J4 (12V/3A), and critical functions-including PGOOD monitoring, soft-start timing, feedback voltage setting (R1 = 43.2kΩ, R2 = 2.26kΩ), and overcurrent protection (5A trip point)-are implemented with discrete passive components and verified per UG117 Rev.1.00 test data.

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL8117ADEMO4Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial power supply evaluation, high-voltage DC/DC prototyping, and buck-boost topology validation requiring stable component supply, documented thermal derating guidance, and production-ready layout practices.

Supply support for ISL8117ADEMO4Z 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 (acquired Intersil in 2017) is a global semiconductor leader delivering high-performance analog, power, and embedded processing solutions for industrial, automotive, and infrastructure applications.

The ISL8117ADEMO4Z belongs to Renesas' Industrial Analog and Power evaluation platform family, engineered to accelerate development of robust, high-efficiency DC/DC converters for harsh-environment industrial systems with wide-input voltage requirements.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ISL8117ADEMO4Z?

The ISL8117ADEMO4Z is a ready-to-use demonstration board that implements a synchronous buck-boost converter using the ISL8117A controller. It converts an input voltage from 6.5V to 42V into a regulated 12V output at up to 3A. The ISL8117ADEMO4Z provides engineers with a validated hardware reference to evaluate efficiency, transient response, thermal behavior, and protection features - eliminating the need to build a prototype from scratch when developing high-voltage industrial power supplies.

Can the output voltage of the ISL8117ADEMO4Z be adjusted, and how?

Yes, the ISL8117ADEMO4Z output voltage is adjustable via the feedback resistor divider network. The board ships preset to 12V using R1 = 43.2kΩ and R2 = 2.26kΩ, but Equation 1 in the UG117 manual allows recalculating R2 for any desired VOUT based on the 0.6V reference voltage. Adjusting R2 changes the feedback ratio, enabling precise output tuning - for example, to 5V, 15V, or 24V - while maintaining regulation accuracy and stability as verified in the ISL8117ADEMO4Z test data.

What protection features are implemented on the ISL8117ADEMO4Z?

The ISL8117ADEMO4Z incorporates OCP (overcurrent protection), OVP (overvoltage protection), OTP (overtemperature protection), and UVP (undervoltage protection) as defined by the ISL8117A controller's integrated circuitry. These protections are fully implemented in hardware: OCP trips at ≥5A, UVP disables operation below 6.5V input, and thermal shutdown activates if the ISL8117A junction exceeds +125°C. The board also includes a PGOOD indicator signal and supports prebias start-up - all confirmed in functional testing per UG117 Rev.1.00.

What test equipment is required to evaluate the ISL8117ADEMO4Z?

Evaluating the ISL8117ADEMO4Z requires a 0–42V DC power supply (≥10A capability), an electronic load (capable of sinking up to 10A), a digital multimeter, and a 100MHz quad-trace oscilloscope. Per Section 2.1 of UG117, proper probe placement - especially for measuring output ripple and phase-node ringing - is essential to capture accurate waveforms. The board's test points and J1/J4 connectors are designed for direct connection to these instruments without modification.

Does the ISL8117ADEMO4Z require forced airflow during operation?

Yes, forced airflow is recommended for reliable operation of the ISL8117ADEMO4Z under high-power conditions. The user manual explicitly states that a 12V DC fan is needed - especially at low line (e.g., VIN = 12V) or high input voltage (e.g., VIN = 36V) - to maintain safe operating temperatures. This requirement stems from thermal limitations of the AON6248 MOSFETs and 11µH inductor; without airflow, junction temperatures can exceed the ISL8117A's +125°C limit, triggering OTP shutdown. Board layout includes provisions for fan mounting per Figure 1.