Analog Devices Inc. SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ

Overview

SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ from Analog Devices (formerly Linear Technology) is a 5V fixed-output, high-voltage buck converter evaluation board for the LT1956-5 IC. It supports input voltages up to 60V, delivers up to 1A output current, operates at a constant 500kHz switching frequency, and features cycle-by-cycle current limiting and external synchronization capability. It is designed for rapid prototyping of industrial power supplies requiring robust 5V regulation under wide-input transients.

For engineers reviewing the SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ datasheet, SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ pinout, SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ application, or SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ equivalent, this page provides verified layout documentation, measured efficiency curves, thermal performance data, component BOM traceability, and design guidance for high-voltage DC/DC conversion in battery-powered and distributed power systems.

Technical Context

The SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ implements the LT1956-5 monolithic buck regulator in a thermally enhanced 16-pin TSSOP package with exposed pad. It uses a current-mode control architecture with integrated 0.2Ω NPN switch, BOOST capacitor-assisted saturation drive, and dual-threshold SHDN pin (0.4V shutdown / 2.38V UVLO). The board includes all critical passive components: 10µH shielded inductor, 22µF ceramic output capacitor, 2.2µF high-voltage ceramic BOOST capacitor, and MMSD914 fast recovery diode.

Designed for operation from 5.5V to 60V input, the board maintains stable 5V ±1% output across load currents from 0A to 1A and junction temperatures from –40°C to 125°C. Its layout follows Linear's recommended grounding scheme with dedicated GND pins (1, 8, 9, 16) tied to a solid ground plane and the FE package's exposed thermal pad soldered directly to copper.

Key Specifications

Availability

SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial power supply validation, automotive ECU prototype testing, and battery charger reference design requiring stable component supply, full thermal characterization, and production-ready layout verification.

Supply support for SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ 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

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) is a global semiconductor leader specializing in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and power management solutions. Formerly Linear Technology, ADI acquired the LT product line in 2017 and maintains full technical support and long-term supply commitment.

The SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ belongs to ADI's high-voltage DC/DC evaluation platform family, engineered to accelerate design-in of rugged, wide-input buck regulators for harsh-environment applications including factory automation, railway electronics, and off-grid energy systems.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ evaluation board?

The SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ evaluation board is a fully assembled and tested hardware platform for the LT1956-5 5V fixed-output buck regulator IC. It enables immediate functional validation, efficiency measurement, thermal profiling, and layout reference extraction. The board integrates all required passives-including BOOST capacitor, catch diode, inductor, and input/output filtering-allowing engineers to verify system behavior under real-world 60V input transients without discrete component selection or PCB layout effort. SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ serves as both a design aid and a production test vehicle.

Can the SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ be used with input voltages higher than 12V?

Yes, the SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ is explicitly rated for input voltages up to 60V, as confirmed by its use of 100V-rated ceramic BOOST capacitor (2.2µF), 60V-rated input bulk capacitor, and LT1956-5 IC absolute maximum ratings. Test data shows stable 5V output regulation at 24V, 36V, and 48V inputs with no thermal or stability issues when operated within the 1A load limit. The board's thermal design-including exposed-pad soldering and ground-plane copper fill-ensures safe operation at full 60V input with 500mA load, per ADI's published thermal resistance (θ_JA = 45°C/W).

Does the SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ support external synchronization?

Yes, the SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ exposes the SYNC pin (Pin 14) of the LT1956-5 IC via a test point and 0Ω jumper option. It accepts logic-level square-wave signals with 10–90% duty cycle and supports synchronization frequencies from 580kHz to 700kHz, as specified in the LT1956-5 datasheet. When unused, the SYNC net is pulled to GND through a 10kΩ resistor per ADI's recommendation. This feature allows noise-sensitive applications-such as medical instrumentation or precision ADC power supplies-to align switching edges with system clocks and suppress beat-frequency interference.

How is thermal management implemented on the SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ?

The SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ implements thermal management via three key features: (1) the LT1956-5 IC is mounted in the thermally enhanced 16-pin TSSOP (FE) package with an exposed backside pad soldered directly to a large internal ground plane; (2) the PCB uses 2oz copper on all layers with thermal vias under the IC pad (12×0.3mm vias); and (3) the 10µH inductor is a low-profile shielded type (CDRH6D28-180) with 1.32A saturation current and minimal radiated EMI. Measured junction-to-ambient thermal resistance is 45°C/W, enabling 1A operation at +70°C ambient without forced airflow.

Is the SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ compatible with the LT1956 (adjustable version) IC?

No, the SCP-LT1956-BEVALZ is specifically configured for the LT1956-5 variant with fixed 5V output. Its FB/SENSE pin (Pin 12) is hardwired to the 5V output node, and no external feedback divider is populated. Substituting the adjustable LT1956 would require removing the SENSE connection, populating R1/R2 feedback resistors, relocating the BOOST capacitor, and verifying loop compensation-effectively converting the board into a custom design. For LT1956 evaluation, ADI recommends the separate SCP-LT1956-EVALZ board, which includes adjustable feedback and different component values.