Texas Instruments PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM

Overview

PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM from Texas Instruments is a hands-on evaluation platform for the LM5118 wide-input buck-boost controller, designed to support experimental analysis of CCM/DCM transitions, efficiency vs. component selection, load transient response, and soft-start behavior in non-inverting DC-DC conversion. It features dual inductors (10 µH and 3.3 µH), configurable compensation networks, jumper-selectable switching frequencies (150 kHz / 300 kHz), and real-time test points for voltage, current, PWM ramp, and loop gain injection.

For engineers reviewing the PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM datasheet, PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM pinout, PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM application, or PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM equivalent, this lab kit enables empirical validation of buck-boost control theory-including duty-cycle dependence on input voltage and load, phase margin tuning via jumper-configured compensation, and inductor-current waveform characterization across operating modes-using standard bench instruments including oscilloscopes, dynamic loads, and waveform generators.

Technical Context

The PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM implements the LM5118 emulated current-mode controller in a two-switch, two-diode non-inverting buck-boost topology. It supports input voltages from 6 V to 36 V and regulates a stable 12 V output at up to 2 A, with mode-dependent operation: buck mode above 15.4 V, buck-boost mode below 13.2 V, and hybrid operation in between.

Its modular design enables systematic investigation of key power supply parameters: inductor value (10 µH or 3.3 µH) directly impacts CCM/DCM boundary conditions; current-sense resistance (7.5 mΩ or 15 mΩ) alters gain scaling; and jumper-configurable compensation (J16/J17/J18) sets crossover frequency from 1 kHz to 4 kHz with ~52° phase margin under defined test conditions.

Key Specifications

Availability

PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for university power electronics labs, industrial power supply design training, and R&D validation requiring stable component supply, repeatable test setups, and documented experiment procedures aligned with TI-PMLK curriculum.

Supply support for PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM 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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, delivering analog, embedded processing, and power management technologies used in industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM belongs to the TI Power Management Lab Kit (TI-PMLK) suite - a pedagogical platform developed jointly with the University of Salerno to enable experiential learning of power supply design fundamentals through structured, measurement-driven experiments.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM?

The PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM is an educational evaluation board designed to facilitate hands-on experimentation with the LM5118 buck-boost controller. It enables users to observe and measure real-world behaviors such as CCM/DCM transitions, efficiency dependencies on component selection, load transient response, and soft-start performance - all guided by the TI-PMLK Buck-Boost Experiment Book. The PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM itself contains no active logic or firmware; its value lies in its configurable hardware and documented test methodology.

Does the PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM include the LM5118 IC?

Yes, the PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM integrates the LM5118MHX/NOPB controller IC (U1) as its core control element. This Texas Instruments part is a wide-input (3–75 V), emulated current-mode, non-synchronous buck-boost controller. On the PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM, it operates within a constrained 6–36 V input range and delivers a regulated 12 V output. All supporting components - MOSFETs, diodes, inductors, and compensation networks - are selected and laid out to expose key design variables for academic and engineering investigation.

Can the PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM be used for production-level design validation?

The PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM is optimized for learning and teaching, not production qualification. Its jumpers, test points, and dual-inductor layout prioritize flexibility and observability over ruggedness or thermal optimization. While it validates fundamental buck-boost principles and LM5118 behavior, layout parasitics, thermal derating, and long-term reliability testing require a custom-designed PCB. Engineers use the PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM to build intuition before committing to schematic and layout iterations - making it a critical upstream tool, but not a drop-in production reference.

Which instruments are required to run experiments with the PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM?

Per the official TI-PMLK documentation, essential instruments include a 50 V/20 A DC power supply, a 20 V/10 A dynamic electronic load, a 4½-digit multimeter, a 250 MHz 4-channel oscilloscope with two 20 A/50 MHz current probes, and a 10 MHz waveform generator. Optional but recommended tools include a vector network analyzer for loop gain measurements (via TP14 and R14) and high-power resistors for load substitution when a dynamic load is unavailable. All connections and safety warnings are detailed in the PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM Experiment Book.

How does the PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM differ from the standard LM5118EVM?

The PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM is distinct from generic LM5118 evaluation modules: it is part of the TI-PMLK academic initiative, co-developed with the University of Salerno. Unlike commercial EVMs focused on quick functional verification, the PMLKBUCKBOOSTEVM emphasizes teachable variables - e.g., three independent compensation networks (J16/J17/J18), dual inductors, selectable current sense gain, and explicit test points for loop injection (TP14) and ramp monitoring (TP11). Its documentation is experiment-centric, not datasheet-referenced, and assumes no prior power electronics lab experience.