Renesas ISL81801EVAL2Z

Overview

ISL81801EVAL2Z from Renesas Electronics is a high-voltage buck-boost controller evaluation board built around the ISL81801 HTSSOP IC. It delivers 48V/5A output from 32–80V input, supports bi-directional operation, and integrates UV/OV/OC/OT protection with programmable 200kHz switching frequency and soft-start control.

For engineers reviewing the ISL81801EVAL2Z datasheet, ISL81801EVAL2Z pinout, ISL81801EVAL2Z application, or ISL81801EVAL2Z equivalent, this board enables full functional validation of the ISL81801's CCM/DEM modes, HICCUP/CC overcurrent protection, pre-bias start-up, and 48V telecom/datacom power conversion under real thermal and load transient conditions.

Technical Context

The ISL81801EVAL2Z implements a 4-switch synchronous buck-boost topology using discrete N-channel MOSFETs (Infineon BSC070N10NS5ATMA1) and a 22µH power inductor (Wurth 74439370220). It operates across -40°C to +85°C ambient with no forced airflow required at 5A continuous load.

Board-level configuration is managed via jumpers: J8 selects PWM vs. DEM mode; J9 sets constant-current or HICCUP OCP; J3 disables the converter; and FBI pin floating enables bi-directional operation with supercapacitor support above 48V rating.

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL81801EVAL2Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for telecom power system validation, industrial DC-DC converter development, and 48V datacenter rack power architecture prototyping requiring stable component supply and full-feature hardware reference.

Supply support for ISL81801EVAL2Z 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, and SoC solutions for automotive, industrial, and infrastructure markets.

The ISL81801EVAL2Z belongs to Renesas' high-voltage DC-DC controller evaluation platform family, designed specifically to accelerate adoption of 4-switch buck-boost architectures in 32–80V input applications such as server PSUs, battery backup systems, and energy storage interfaces.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ISL81801EVAL2Z evaluation board?

The ISL81801EVAL2Z evaluation board is a fully assembled hardware platform for evaluating the ISL81801 80V 4-switch synchronous buck-boost controller. It provides immediate access to all IC features-including bi-directional operation, programmable soft-start, DEM/PWM mode selection, and CC/HICCUP OCP-enabling rapid validation of performance, thermal behavior, and transient response in real-world 48V power systems. The ISL81801EVAL2Z is not a production-ready module but a design verification tool.

Can the ISL81801EVAL2Z operate in bi-directional mode, and what setup is required?

Yes, the ISL81801EVAL2Z supports bi-directional operation when properly configured: the FBI pin must be left floating (not grounded), the mode must be set to CCM via jumper J8 (pins 1–2 shorted), and the supercapacitor voltage rating must exceed 48V. Input voltage must first be raised above 36V to charge the capacitor, then removed to enable reverse power flow. This capability is verified per Figure 2 and Section 1.3 of the user manual. The ISL81801EVAL2Z implements this using its native ISL81801 controller logic without external firmware.

What are the key jumper configurations on the ISL81801EVAL2Z and their functions?

The ISL81801EVAL2Z uses three critical jumpers: J3 (pins 1–2) disables the converter output; J8 (pins 1–2 for PWM, pins 2–3 for DEM) selects continuous conduction or pulse-skipping mode; and J9 (pins 1–2 for constant-current OCP, pins 2–3 for HICCUP OCP) determines overcurrent response behavior. These are documented in Table 2 and Section 1.4 of the user manual. All jumpers use standard 2.54mm pitch breakaway headers (BERG/FCI 68000-236HLF) with Sullins shorting shunts (SPC02SYAN).

Does the ISL81801EVAL2Z include thermal management provisions for 5A continuous operation?

Yes-the ISL81801EVAL2Z is thermally validated to deliver 5A continuously at room temperature without forced airflow, relying on copper-filled PCB layers, optimized MOSFET placement, and low-thermal-resistance components like the Wurth 74439370220 inductor and Infineon BSC070N10NS5ATMA1 FETs. The board's layout follows Renesas' strict guidelines (Section 2), including separate SGND/PGND planes connected near the IC and minimized high-dv/dt loop areas. Ambient operation beyond +60°C requires airflow per Section 1.2.

How is output voltage set and regulated on the ISL81801EVAL2Z?

The ISL81801EVAL2Z is factory-configured for a fixed 48V output using an external resistor divider (R2/R3) that feeds the FB_OUT pin. Regulation accuracy is ±3% across 0–5A load and 32–80V input, as confirmed in Figures 16–17. The feedback network connects directly to the output capacitor terminals to minimize noise coupling, and the PGOOD signal indicates valid regulation status. No onboard potentiometer or digital interface is provided-output voltage adjustment requires changing the FB divider resistors per the ISL81801 datasheet.