Renesas ISL81401AEVAL1Z

Overview

The ISL81401AEVAL1Z evaluation board from Renesas Electronics features the ISL81401A 40V high-voltage synchronous buck-boost controller, supporting 6V–40V input, 12V/8A output, 200kHz switching frequency, and programmable DEM/PWM operation with CC/HICCUP OCP protection.

For engineers reviewing the ISL81401AEVAL1Z datasheet, ISL81401AEVAL1Z pinout, ISL81401AEVAL1Z application, or ISL81401AEVAL1Z equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of high-current buck-boost converter designs in industrial power supplies, battery-powered systems, and wide-input-range DC/DC applications requiring prebias start-up and robust thermal performance.

Technical Context

The ISL81401AEVAL1Z implements the ISL81401A QFN-32 controller in a fully assembled, tested reference design with integrated 40V N-channel MOSFETs (BSC032N04LS, BSC024NE2LSATMA1), 4.7µH power inductor, and dual-phase layout optimized for low EMI and high efficiency across 6V–40V input range.

It supports selectable operating modes via jumpers (J8 for PWM/DEM, J9 for CC/HICCUP OCP), external soft-start, PGOOD monitoring, and operates continuously at 8A without forced airflow at room temperature - validated per UG189 Rev.0.00 test procedures and performance curves.

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL81401AEVAL1Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial power supply validation, battery management system prototyping, and wide-input DC/DC converter development requiring stable component supply, traceable sourcing, and technical support for high-voltage buck-boost topologies.

Supply support for ISL81401AEVAL1Z 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 specializing in microcontrollers, analog power devices, and interface solutions for industrial, automotive, and infrastructure markets.

The ISL81401AEVAL1Z belongs to Renesas' Industrial Analog and Power evaluation platform series, designed to accelerate adoption of high-efficiency, high-voltage buck-boost controllers in ruggedized power conversion applications.

FAQ

What is the ISL81401AEVAL1Z used for?

The ISL81401AEVAL1Z is a fully assembled evaluation board for the ISL81401A 40V synchronous buck-boost controller. It enables engineers to validate dynamic performance, efficiency, transient response, and protection features - including DEM/PWM mode selection, HICCUP vs. constant-current OCP, and prebias start-up - without designing a custom PCB. The ISL81401AEVAL1Z is intended exclusively for lab evaluation and reference design verification.

Does the ISL81401AEVAL1Z include the ISL81401A IC?

Yes, the ISL81401AEVAL1Z includes one ISL81401AFRZ QFN-32 IC (Renesas part number ISL81401AFRZ) mounted on the board. This is the production-grade version of the ISL81401A controller, confirmed in the Bill of Materials on page 10 of UG189 Rev.0.00. The ISL81401AEVAL1Z is not a bare board - it ships with all active and passive components populated per the reference design.

Can the output voltage of the ISL81401AEVAL1Z be adjusted?

The ISL81401AEVAL1Z is configured for a fixed 12V output using resistor dividers R2 and R3 per Figure 6 and Table 1. While the ISL81401A controller supports adjustable output via feedback resistors, modifying the output voltage requires changing those resistors - no onboard potentiometer or digital interface is provided. The ISL81401AEVAL1Z is not field-programmable; voltage adjustment necessitates hardware rework and recalibration of compensation and current sensing.

What are the key jumper functions on the ISL81401AEVAL1Z?

The ISL81401AEVAL1Z uses three critical jumpers: J3 disables the converter when shorted (Pin 1–2); J8 selects PWM (Pin 1–2) or DEM (Pin 2–3) operation; J9 selects constant-current OCP (Pin 1–2) or HICCUP OCP (Pin 2–3). These are documented in Table 2 (page 5) and enable functional testing of protection schemes and light-load behavior without soldering - a core capability of the ISL81401AEVAL1Z platform.

Is thermal management required when operating the ISL81401AEVAL1Z at full load?

Per UG189 Rev.0.00 section 2.2, the ISL81401AEVAL1Z delivers 8A continuously at room temperature (25°C) without airflow. However, sustained operation above 85°C ambient requires forced airflow - confirmed by thermal derating notes and the −40°C to +85°C operating range specification. The ISL81401AEVAL1Z PCB uses multilayer construction with dedicated ground planes and optimized FET placement to minimize thermal resistance, but does not include heatsinks or fans.