NXP Semiconductors KITMPL115A1EVB

Overview

KITMPL115A1EVB from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a dedicated evaluation board for the MPL115A1 pressure sensor IC, featuring an LGA-8 metal package (3 × 5 × 1.2 mm), I²C interface, and onboard signal conditioning circuitry for barometric pressure measurement in portable electronics.

For engineers reviewing the KITMPL115A1EVB datasheet, KITMPL115A1EVB pinout, KITMPL115A1EVB application, or KITMPL115A1EVB equivalent, this board enables rapid functional validation of the MPL115A1 sensor's 11-bit ADC resolution, ±1.5 kPa absolute pressure accuracy, and 50–115 kPa operating range in handheld and wearable designs.

Technical Context

The KITMPL115A1EVB implements a hardware interface between host development platforms (e.g., Tower System or Freedom boards) and the MPL115A1 MEMS pressure sensor. It provides regulated 3.3 V power delivery, level-shifted I²C communication lines, and test points for VOUT, SDA, SCL, and GND.

This board does not include the MPL115A1 sensor IC itself - it is designed exclusively for use with the separately purchased MPL115A1 pressure sensor interface board. Firmware interaction occurs via the unified Sensor Toolbox software suite, which supports real-time pressure readout, calibration coefficient loading, and register-level access to the sensor's compensation engine.

Key Specifications

Availability

KITMPL115A1EVB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for pressure sensor evaluation, embedded environmental monitoring prototyping, and industrial calibration system development requiring stable component supply and documented reference design support.

Supply support for KITMPL115A1EVB 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

NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor company formed from the spin-off of Freescale Semiconductor and merged with NXP in 2015, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications.

The KITMPL115A1EVB belongs to NXP's legacy Sensor Toolbox evaluation platform family, developed specifically to accelerate integration of Freescale's analog MEMS pressure sensors into portable and battery-powered systems.

FAQ

Does the KITMPL115A1EVB include the MPL115A1 pressure sensor IC?

No. The KITMPL115A1EVB is an interface and evaluation board only. It requires a separate MPL115A1 pressure sensor interface board to function. The board provides power regulation, I²C signal conditioning, and USB connectivity but contains no sensing element. Users must procure the MPL115A1 interface board independently to complete the evaluation setup for KITMPL115A1EVB.

What software is required to operate the KITMPL115A1EVB?

The KITMPL115A1EVB requires the Sensor Toolbox software suite, available for download from www.freescale.com/sensortoolbox. This Windows-based application provides real-time pressure readout, register-level access, and calibration coefficient management. The same installer supports all Sensor Toolbox kits, so installation is performed once per host system for KITMPL115A1EVB and other compatible evaluation boards.

Is the KITMPL115A1EVB compatible with modern development environments like MCUXpresso or Arduino?

No. The KITMPL115A1EVB is not natively supported by MCUXpresso, Arduino IDE, or PlatformIO. It relies exclusively on the legacy Sensor Toolbox GUI and its proprietary USB communication driver. No SDK, HAL libraries, or example code for ARM Cortex-M or AVR platforms are provided for KITMPL115A1EVB - operation is limited to the bundled Windows application.

What are the physical dimensions and mounting features of the KITMPL115A1EVB board?

The KITMPL115A1EVB board measures approximately 50 mm × 30 mm with no mounting holes or standoffs included. It features a USB Type-A connector, slide power switch, LED power indicator, and clearly labeled test points (VDD, GND, SDA, SCL, VOUT). The compact layout aligns with Freescale's modular Sensor Toolbox ecosystem but does not support stacking or mechanical integration with other evaluation platforms.

Can the KITMPL115A1EVB be used for production-level calibration or long-term environmental logging?

No. The KITMPL115A1EVB is strictly a quick-start evaluation tool, not a calibrated metrology instrument. Its voltage regulation, trace routing, and lack of temperature compensation firmware limit repeatability and stability beyond lab-scale functional verification. For production calibration or logging, users must implement the MPL115A1 sensor on a custom PCB with precision references and validated thermal management - KITMPL115A1EVB serves only as a preliminary validation step.