Nexperia USA Inc. NEVB-NPS3102AUL

Overview

NEVB-NPS3102AUL from Nexperia is a 4-layer evaluation board designed to characterize the NPS3102A latching electronic fuse in 12 V automotive and industrial power distribution systems. It supports adjustable current limits (2 A–13.5 A), selectable output slew rates (1/3/10 ms), thermal protection, overvoltage clamping, and short-circuit monitoring via integrated NMOS FET and comparator circuitry with LED fault indication.

For engineers reviewing the NEVB-NPS3102AUL datasheet, NEVB-NPS3102AUL pinout, NEVB-NPS3102AUL application, or NEVB-NPS3102AUL equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of eFuse behavior under hot-swap transients, inrush control, fault recovery timing, and current-limit calibration across real-world load profiles.

Technical Context

This evaluation board implements the NPS3102A eFuse - a monolithic 12 V, 17 mΩ R_DS(on) device with internal overvoltage clamp (typ. 20.5 V), adjustable current limit via external resistor, and latch-on-fault behavior requiring manual reset. It integrates discrete protection components including PTVS16VP1UP transient voltage suppressor and PNE20010ER Schottky diode for IN/OUT rail clamping.

The board uses TLV6703 comparator for precise fault detection, PMF250XNE and PXN5R4-30QL MOSFETs for short-circuit sensing and enable control, and configurable jumpers (JP1, JP2, J2) to modify current limit, dV/dt ramp time, and enable mode - enabling direct comparison between latching (NPS3102A) and auto-retry (NPS3102B) eFuse behaviors.

Key Specifications

Availability

NEVB-NPS3102AUL is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body control modules, industrial PLC I/O power rails, and server backplane hot-swap circuits requiring stable component supply and validated eFuse behavior under transient stress.

Supply support for NEVB-NPS3102AUL 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

Nexperia is a global semiconductor expert focused on high-volume, high-reliability logic, discrete, and power devices, with leadership in automotive-qualified components and advanced packaging technologies.

The NEVB-NPS3102AUL belongs to Nexperia's eFuse evaluation platform family, engineered specifically to accelerate design-in of programmable protection ICs in 12 V distributed power architectures where predictable fault response and thermal robustness are critical.

FAQ

Can NEVB-NPS3102AUL be used with the NPS3102B eFuse?

Yes - the board is mechanically and electrically compatible with both NPS3102A (latching) and NPS3102B (auto-retry) eFuses. The BOM specifies U1 as "NPS3102A or NPS3102B", and the schematic shows identical footprint and biasing. Swapping devices allows direct side-by-side evaluation of fault-handling strategies without PCB redesign.

What is the purpose of test point TP6 (ILIM)?

TP6 provides direct access to the ILIM node, where the external current-limit resistor connects to U1. Measuring voltage here allows real-time verification of programmed current threshold (e.g., 1.25 V reference × R_ILIM calculation), confirming correct jumper configuration and resistor placement before load testing.

How does the short-circuit monitoring circuit work independently of the eFuse?

The NMOS Q1 and TLV6703 comparator form a dedicated current-sense path across a 100 mΩ shunt (JP3). When load current exceeds ~10 A, voltage drop triggers U2's open-drain output, lighting D4 and asserting FLT - functioning even if the NPS3102A itself is disabled or latched, providing redundant fault visibility.

Is the board RoHS-compliant and automotive-qualified?

Yes - all components listed in Table 1 (BOM) are RoHS-compliant per Nexperia's declaration. While the evaluation board itself is not AEC-Q200 certified, it hosts the NPS3102AGB - an automotive-grade eFuse qualified to AEC-Q100 Grade 1 (−40 °C to +125 °C), making the board suitable for pre-compliance functional validation in automotive environments.