Renesas ISL95338EVAL1Z

Overview

The ISL95338EVAL1Z from Renesas Electronics is an evaluation board designed to fully characterize the ISL95338 bidirectional buck-boost voltage regulator IC. It supports forward and reverse mode operation, programmable SMBus/I²C configuration (including output voltage, current limits, soft-start), and real-time monitoring via GUI-controlled USB interface. The board enables validation of 3.8V–24V input range, up to 20V regulated output, and protection features including OCP, OVP, UVP, and OTP in both directions.

For engineers reviewing the ISL95338EVAL1Z datasheet, ISL95338EVAL1Z pinout, ISL95338EVAL1Z application, or ISL95338EVAL1Z equivalent, this board provides complete hardware implementation-including dual-side current sensing, phase-node layout guidance, LDO support (U3), USB microcontroller (U2), and LED status indicators-for rapid prototyping of notebook battery charging, USB PD power path management, and bidirectional power delivery systems.

Technical Context

The ISL95338EVAL1Z implements the full reference design for the ISL95338 HRZ QFN-32 IC, featuring two synchronous N-channel MOSFET half-bridges (Q1–Q4), adapter- and system-side current sense resistors (RS1, RS2), and dedicated gate drive traces routed per layout guidelines in UG128. It integrates a Silicon Labs C8051F320-GQ USB microcontroller (U2) for SMBus-to-USB translation and GUI communication.

Board-level functionality includes jumper-configurable forward/reverse enable (JP4, SW1/SW2), address selection (ADDR0/ADDR1), and test points for PHASE1/PHASE2, VOUT, REF, and PROCHOT#. All critical analog signals-CSIP/CSOP, ADPS, VOUTS-are isolated from switching noise per PCB layout rules, with decoupling capacitors placed adjacent to VDD, VDDP, and REF pins.

Key Specifications

Availability

ISL95338EVAL1Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for notebook battery charging validation, USB PD power path development, and bidirectional DC-DC converter design requiring stable component supply and full-feature evaluation capability.

Supply support for ISL95338EVAL1Z 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 manufacturer specializing in microcontrollers, analog power devices, and timing solutions for automotive, industrial, and computing applications.

The ISL95338EVAL1Z belongs to Renesas' battery and optical power management evaluation platform family, engineered to accelerate adoption of high-efficiency bidirectional regulators in portable computing and USB-C power delivery systems.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ISL95338EVAL1Z?

The ISL95338EVAL1Z is a dedicated evaluation board for the ISL95338 bidirectional buck-boost controller IC. It provides all necessary circuitry-including power MOSFETs, current sense elements, SMBus-to-USB interface (U2), and GUI software-to validate forward/reverse regulation, programmable protection thresholds, soft-start behavior, and mode transitions (buck → buck-boost → boost) under real load conditions. The ISL95338EVAL1Z does not operate as a standalone power supply but serves exclusively as a characterization and development tool for the ISL95338HRZ IC.

Does the ISL95338EVAL1Z include the ISL95338 IC?

Yes, the ISL95338EVAL1Z includes one ISL95338HRZ IC (U1), mounted in a 4mm × 4mm QFN-32 package. This is the exact production-grade controller device intended for end-system integration. All board-level components-including gate drivers, current sense resistors, feedback networks, and USB interface-support full functional evaluation of the ISL95338HRZ's bidirectional regulation, SMBus programmability, and protection features as specified in its datasheet.

How is communication established with the ISL95338EVAL1Z?

Communication with the ISL95338EVAL1Z is achieved via USB 2.0 using the onboard Silicon Labs C8051F320-GQ microcontroller (U2), which acts as an SMBus-to-USB bridge. The included ISL95338 GUI software connects over USB and communicates with the ISL95338HRZ (U1) using standard SMBus protocol. Default SMBus address is 0x96H, configurable via ADDR0/ADDR1 jumpers. No external SMBus master or I²C host is required-the USB interface handles all register reads/writes and status polling.

What power supplies are required to operate the ISL95338EVAL1Z?

The ISL95338EVAL1Z requires two independent DC power sources: one for the ADP side (e.g., 12V @ ≥6A) and one for the SYS side (e.g., 12V @ ≥6A), depending on test direction. A 0–25V, ≥6A bench supply is recommended for either side. The board itself draws minimal auxiliary power (<100mA) from USB for the C8051F320-GQ and logic. Input voltage must stay within the ISL95338's 3.8V–24V operating range on the active side; no external LDOs or regulators are needed-the ISL95338EVAL1Z uses the ISL95338HRZ's internal LDOs (VDDP/VDD) and external ISL80101IRAJZ (U3) for clean biasing.

Can the ISL95338EVAL1Z be used for production-level testing?

The ISL95338EVAL1Z is designed for engineering evaluation-not production line testing. It includes test points (TP1–TP57), LED status indicators (FWRPG, RVSPG, PROCHOT#), and GUI-based register access ideal for design validation, firmware development, and performance benchmarking. While robustly laid out per Renesas' layout guidelines, it lacks production-grade thermal management, conformal coating, or automated test interfaces. For production use, designers must implement the ISL95338HRZ into their own system-level PCB following the ISL95338EVAL1Z's schematic and layout practices documented in UG128.