Renesas ISL8201MEVAL1Z

Overview

ISL8201MEVAL1Z from Renesas Electronics is an evaluation board designed to characterize the ISL8201M point-of-load (POL) DC/DC power module. It supports input voltage ranges from 1V to 20V, delivers up to 10A output current at 0.6V–5V, and enables rapid validation of efficiency, ripple/noise, and transient response using integrated test points and configurable feedback/resistor networks.

For engineers reviewing the ISL8201MEVAL1Z datasheet, ISL8201MEVAL1Z pinout, ISL8201MEVAL1Z application, or ISL8201MEVAL1Z equivalent, this board provides direct access to VIN, VOUT, PVCC, COMP/EN, FB, ISET, PHASE, and PGND terminals - enabling precise measurement setup, bias configuration, and load-step testing per AN1386 Rev 1.00.

Technical Context

The ISL8201MEVAL1Z implements a complete test platform for the ISL8201M POL module, featuring dual power supply selection via S1 (VIN or external PVCC), on/off control via S2 (COMP/EN), and user-adjustable output voltage (0.6V–5V) through R1 resistor selection per Table 3. It includes dedicated high-precision measurement points at C3 (input) and C8 (output) for accurate efficiency calculation.

It integrates a type-3 compensation network (R13/R14/C12/C13/C14/C15), snubber components (R18/C18/C19), and a power-up sequencing circuit (R15/R16/R17/R20/R21/C17/Q2/Q3) to ensure safe startup when PVCC powers before VIN - critical for stable operation across wide input ranges (1V–20V).

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL8201MEVAL1Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for power system validation, POL module qualification, and DC/DC converter design verification requiring stable component supply, repeatable test setups, and documented measurement methodology.

Supply support for ISL8201MEVAL1Z 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 applications.

The ISL8201MEVAL1Z belongs to Renesas' power evaluation platform family, engineered specifically to accelerate development and validation of their ISL820xM series integrated POL modules in real-world power delivery systems.

FAQ

What is the ISL8201MEVAL1Z used for?

The ISL8201MEVAL1Z is an evaluation board purpose-built to test and validate the ISL8201M point-of-load DC/DC power module. It provides accessible terminals, configurable feedback resistors, and calibrated measurement points to evaluate efficiency, output ripple/noise, load transients, and startup behavior - all per Application Note AN1386 Rev 1.00. Engineers use the ISL8201MEVAL1Z to confirm performance before integrating the ISL8201M into final designs.

Does the ISL8201MEVAL1Z include the ISL8201M module?

Yes, the ISL8201MEVAL1Z includes the ISL8201M POL module as U1 per the Bill of Materials (Table 4). The board is shipped with the ISL8201M pre-mounted and configured for initial 1.5V output using R1 = 6.49kΩ. No additional module purchase is required to begin evaluation - the ISL8201MEVAL1Z is a complete, ready-to-use test platform.

How do I configure the output voltage on the ISL8201MEVAL1Z?

Output voltage on the ISL8201MEVAL1Z is set by replacing R1 (initially 6.49kΩ for 1.5V) with a resistor matching your target VOUT, per Table 3 - e.g., 4.87kΩ for 1.8V or 3.09kΩ for 2.5V. R2 and R3 are provided for parallel fine-tuning. The ISL8201MEVAL1Z schematic (Figure 8) shows the exact FB network topology, and no soldering of compensation components is needed for standard settings.

Can the ISL8201MEVAL1Z operate with input voltages below 5V?

Yes, the ISL8201MEVAL1Z supports input voltages as low as 1V per Table 2. For inputs <5V or >14V, an external PVCC supply (6.5V–14.4V) must be connected via S1 (switch down position), since the internal bias generation requires sufficient headroom. This capability makes the ISL8201MEVAL1Z suitable for evaluating low-voltage battery-powered or wide-dynamic-range industrial systems.

Where are the key test points located on the ISL8201MEVAL1Z?

Key test points on the ISL8201MEVAL1Z are explicitly defined in AN1386: C3 terminal for input voltage/current measurement, C8 terminal for output voltage/current, and dedicated pads for FB, ISET, PHASE, COMP/EN, and PGND. These locations minimize PCB trace resistance and inductance - ensuring accurate, low-noise readings during efficiency and ripple/noise characterization as specified in Figures 5 and 7.