Renesas ISL9106EVAL1Z

Overview

ISL9106EVAL1Z from Intersil is a fully assembled, tested evaluation board for the ISL9106 1.2A synchronous buck regulator. It implements a complete 1.6MHz step-down converter with adjustable 0.8V–3.3V output, optimized for Li+-powered portable devices. The board integrates the ISL9106 in a 10-lead 3mm×3mm DFN package, 2.2µH inductor, dual 10µF ceramic input/output capacitors, and precision feedback resistors - enabling immediate validation of efficiency, transient response, and power-good timing under real load conditions.

For engineers reviewing the ISL9106EVAL1Z datasheet, ISL9106EVAL1Z pinout, ISL9106EVAL1Z application, or ISL9106EVAL1Z equivalent, this board delivers verified reference design performance including 95% peak efficiency at 1.2A, 17µA quiescent current in Skip mode, 215ms Power-Good delay, and seamless transition between forced PWM and low-IQ operation - critical for battery runtime optimization in PDA, smartphone, and DSP core power applications.

Technical Context

The ISL9106EVAL1Z implements the ISL9106 IC's peak-current-mode PWM control architecture with integrated P-Channel (160mΩ) and N-Channel (150mΩ) MOSFETs. It supports both forced PWM (1.6MHz fixed) and Skip mode (variable frequency, ~17µA IQ), with programmable output via R2/R3 voltage divider and active output capacitor discharge during shutdown.

Board-level features include validated thermal layout with exposed-pad grounding, star-grounded analog/digital ground separation (SGND/PGND), noise-isolated FB trace routing, and 220pF compensation capacitor (C3) per Intersil's stability guidelines. The PG signal is routed to a test point with 215ms delay and RSI reset capability, matching the IC's internal PGOOD window (±8% nominal VOUT).

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL9106EVAL1Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for PDA power validation, smartphone core voltage testing, and DSP processor supply qualification requiring stable component supply, pre-validated thermal layout, and production-ready reference schematics.

Supply support for ISL9106EVAL1Z 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

Intersil Corporation (now part of Renesas Electronics) designs high-performance analog and power management ICs for portable, industrial, and communications systems, with ISO 9001-certified manufacturing.

The ISL9106EVAL1Z belongs to Intersil's evaluation platform family for DC-DC regulators, engineered to accelerate design-in of high-efficiency, low-quiescent-current buck converters into space-constrained battery-powered applications.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ISL9106EVAL1Z evaluation board?

The ISL9106EVAL1Z is a fully populated demonstration platform for the ISL9106 synchronous buck regulator. It provides immediate hardware validation of key performance metrics - including 95% peak efficiency, 215ms Power-Good timing, 17µA Skip-mode quiescent current, and seamless PWM/Skip mode transition - using the exact components and layout specified in Intersil's FN6509 datasheet. This eliminates prototyping risk for engineers designing Li+-powered portable systems.

Does the ISL9106EVAL1Z support adjustable output voltage, and how is it configured?

Yes, the ISL9106EVAL1Z supports output voltages from 0.8V to 3.3V via an external resistor divider on the FB pin. Configuration follows Intersil's Table 1 in FN6509: R2 and R3 values are selected based on target VOUT (e.g., 100kΩ/80.6kΩ for 1.8V), and a 220pF compensation capacitor (C3) is included to ensure stability across load and temperature. The board ships with default 1.6V output as shown in Figure 23.

How does the ISL9106EVAL1Z implement Power-Good (PG) functionality?

The ISL9106EVAL1Z routes the ISL9106's open-drain PG pin to a test point with a 10kΩ pull-up resistor. It delivers a 215ms delayed logic-high signal when VOUT enters the PGOOD window (89.5–113.2% of nominal), per the IC's internal comparator thresholds. The RSI input is accessible to reset the timer externally, enabling synchronization with system power sequencing - all verified per Figures 9–10 and Section "Power Good" in FN6509.

Can the ISL9106EVAL1Z operate in both forced PWM and Skip (low-IQ) modes?

Yes, the ISL9106EVAL1Z supports both modes via the MODE jumper. Connecting MODE to VIN enables Skip mode (17µA IQ at light load); connecting MODE to GND forces continuous 1.6MHz PWM operation. This dual-mode capability is implemented per ISL9106's pin description (Page 7) and validated in Figures 11–14 of FN6509, allowing engineers to directly measure efficiency trade-offs across load ranges.

What thermal and layout features are incorporated in the ISL9106EVAL1Z design?

The ISL9106EVAL1Z implements Intersil's recommended thermal layout: the ISL9106's exposed pad is soldered to a large PGND copper pour, SGND and PGND connect at a single star point near the load, and noisy SW traces are physically separated from FB and EN routing. Layout adheres to FN6509 Page 12 guidelines - minimizing power loop area, using wide short traces for VIN/CIN/PGND, and placing CIN within 2mm of the VIN pin - ensuring reliable operation up to 1.2A continuous load.