Renesas ISL85001EVAL1Z

Overview

ISL85001EVAL1Z from Renesas Electronics is an evaluation board designed to demonstrate the performance of the ISL85001 1A synchronous buck regulator IC. It supports input voltages from 4.5V to 25V, delivers adjustable output voltage from 0.6V to 19V, operates at a fixed 500kHz switching frequency, and includes PGOOD, enable, soft-start, overcurrent, and thermal protection - used for rapid validation of point-of-load power designs in compact embedded systems.

For engineers reviewing the ISL85001EVAL1Z datasheet, ISL85001EVAL1Z pinout, ISL85001EVAL1Z application, or ISL85001EVAL1Z equivalent, this board enables fast functional verification of the ISL85001IRZ DFN-12 buck regulator under real load conditions, with test points for VIN, VOUT, EN, PG, and phase node access, plus external resistor divider programming for output voltage tuning.

Technical Context

The ISL85001EVAL1Z implements voltage-mode PWM control with feed-forward compensation using the ISL85001IRZ IC - a monolithic buck regulator integrating high- and low-side MOSFETs, boot diode, internal 5V LDO, and error amplifier. It accepts wide-input 4.5–25V supply and regulates down to 0.6V with ±1% reference accuracy and 1A continuous output current capability.

Board-level features include externally adjustable soft-start via capacitor on SS pin, undervoltage lockout (UVLO), output undervoltage protection, and PGOOD assertion after output stabilization. The layout uses a 22µH shielded power inductor, 47µF/16V output capacitor, and optimized thermal pad grounding for the ISL85001IRZ's exposed paddle (EP) package.

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL85001EVAL1Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for point-of-load power validation, DC-DC converter reference design development, and power integrity testing requiring stable component supply in WLAN cards, handheld instruments, LCD panels, and set-top box subsystems.

Supply support for ISL85001EVAL1Z 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, and enterprise applications, with strong heritage in high-efficiency power management ICs.

The ISL85001EVAL1Z belongs to Renesas' legacy Intersil evaluation platform family, specifically developed to accelerate adoption of the ISL85001 buck regulator for space-constrained, medium-current POL applications demanding low-profile packaging and fast time-to-test.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ISL85001EVAL1Z?

The ISL85001EVAL1Z is a fully assembled evaluation board that demonstrates the operation and performance of the ISL85001IRZ 1A synchronous buck regulator. It provides immediate hardware access to key signals - including VIN, VOUT, EN, PG, and phase node - enabling engineers to validate regulation accuracy, transient response, efficiency, and protection behavior without custom PCB design. The ISL85001EVAL1Z is not a standalone power module but a reference platform for the ISL85001IRZ IC.

Does the ISL85001EVAL1Z support adjustable output voltage?

Yes, the ISL85001EVAL1Z supports output voltage adjustment from 0.6V to 19V using an external resistor divider network connected to the FB pin of the ISL85001IRZ. The board ships with R1 = 30kΩ and R2 = 10kΩ preset for 2.5V output, but users can replace R2 to achieve other voltages per Equation 1 in AN1443. The ISL85001EVAL1Z does not include onboard digital control or I²C interface - adjustment is strictly analog and resistor-based.

What input power supply requirements does the ISL85001EVAL1Z have?

The ISL85001EVAL1Z requires a DC input source between 4.5V and 25V capable of delivering ≥5A peak current, as specified in AN1443. Recommended sources include bench supplies, notebook AC adapters, or batteries. Connection is made to TP1 (+) and TP2 (GND); SW1 must be set to ENABLE before powering. Input ripple and stability directly affect ISL85001EVAL1Z regulation performance and should be verified with oscilloscope monitoring at TP1.

Can the ISL85001EVAL1Z be used for thermal performance evaluation?

Yes - the ISL85001EVAL1Z places the ISL85001IRZ in its native 4mm × 3mm DFN-12 package with exposed thermal pad (EP), and the PCB layout includes dedicated thermal vias and copper pour to dissipate heat. Users can measure junction temperature rise under 1A load using IR thermography or thermocouple on the IC top surface, referencing the ISL85001IRZ datasheet's θ_JA = 45°C/W. Thermal performance is validated up to ambient 70°C per AN1443 test conditions.

Is the ISL85001EVAL1Z RoHS compliant and lead-free?

Yes, the ISL85001EVAL1Z is RoHS compliant and lead-free, as confirmed by component-level declarations in the Bill of Materials (AN1443, Page 3) and labeling on the PCB silkscreen ("ROHS"). All passives, the ISL85001IRZ IC, Q4 transistor, D1 Schottky diode, and L1 inductor are marked RoHS-compliant by their respective manufacturers (e.g., TDK, Murata, Vishay, Diodes Inc.). No exemptions or lead-containing materials are used in the ISL85001EVAL1Z REV A build.