Vishay Siliconix SIC967EVB-A

Overview

SIC967EVB-A from Vishay Siliconix is a reference evaluation board designed to demonstrate and validate the SiC967 4.5 V–60 V input, 6 A synchronous buck regulator module in PowerPAK® MLP54-A6C package. It supports adjustable output down to 0.8 V, 100 kHz–2 MHz switching frequency, ±1 % output voltage accuracy over –40 °C to +125 °C, and features internal compensation, power-good flag, and comprehensive protection including OVP, OCP, UVP, and OTP.

For engineers reviewing the SIC967EVB-A datasheet, SIC967EVB-A pinout, SIC967EVB-A application, or SIC967EVB-A equivalent, this board enables rapid prototyping of high-density DC/DC conversion for industrial computing, telecom power supplies, robotics, and battery management systems - with pre-validated layout, thermal performance, and full protection behavior under transient and fault conditions.

Technical Context

The SIC967EVB-A implements the SiC967 controller in a fully assembled, tested configuration featuring all critical external components: input/output capacitors (including 4.7 µF VDRV decoupling and 64 µF ceramic output banks), BOOT network, feedback divider (R_{FB_H}/R_{FB_L}), MODE and ILIM resistors, EN pull-up, PGOOD pull-up, and fSW timing resistor. It operates at 500 kHz with 5 V output at 6 A, enabling direct efficiency and thermal measurement per Fig. 11 and Fig. 13.

This board validates the SiC967's voltage-mode constant-on-time (COT) control with adaptive zero-current detection, diode emulation in light-load power-save mode, and seamless pre-bias start-up. It confirms functional operation across the full 4.5 V–60 V input range, supports output voltage tracking via FB node, and demonstrates robust fault recovery including hiccup-mode UVP and auto-retry SCP.

Key Specifications

Availability

SIC967EVB-A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, telecom power supply development, robotics power architecture validation, and battery management system prototyping requiring stable component supply and production-ready reference design fidelity.

Supply support for SIC967EVB-A 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

Vishay Siliconix is a global leader in discrete semiconductors and passive components, specializing in high-efficiency power ICs, MOSFETs, and integrated modules for demanding industrial and computing applications.

The SiC967 product line delivers microBRICK®-format DC/DC regulators targeting high-power-density, low-EMI, and thermally constrained systems - designed specifically for server, networking, and automated equipment where input voltage range, transient response, and protection integrity are critical.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the SIC967EVB-A evaluation board?

The SIC967EVB-A evaluation board is a fully assembled reference design that demonstrates the operational performance, thermal behavior, and protection features of the SiC967 synchronous buck regulator module. It enables engineers to validate 5 V / 6 A output operation across 4.5 V–60 V input, measure efficiency per Fig. 11, verify PGOOD timing, and test OCP/UVP/OVP responses without designing custom PCBs. The SIC967EVB-A includes all necessary passive components and resistor networks pre-populated per the typical application schematic in the SiC967 datasheet.

Does the SIC967EVB-A support adjustable output voltages other than 5 V?

Yes - the SIC967EVB-A can be reconfigured for different output voltages by modifying the feedback resistor divider (R_{FB_H} and R_{FB_L}). The board's default 5 V setting uses R_{FB_H} = 53.6 kΩ and R_{FB_L} = 10.2 kΩ, but the SiC967 supports outputs from 0.8 V to 15 V. Engineers may replace these resistors using the formula R_{FB_H} = R_{FB_L} × (V_OUT − 0.8 V) / 0.8 V while maintaining R_{FB_L} ≤ 10 kΩ for no-load stability. The SIC967EVB-A layout provides solder pads and test points to facilitate such modifications.

Can the SIC967EVB-A be used to evaluate the SiC967's power-save mode and light-load efficiency?

Yes - the SIC967EVB-A is configured with R_MODE = 2 kΩ to enable power-save mode (Mode 1), and its design supports direct measurement of light-load efficiency per Fig. 14 and Fig. 15. The board implements diode emulation and frequency foldback as load decreases, allowing users to characterize efficiency down to 10 mA while observing PGOOD assertion, transient response, and valley current limiting behavior. The SIC967EVB-A's low-ESR ceramic output capacitance and optimized layout ensure accurate light-load ripple and regulation assessment.

What protection features of the SiC967 are validated on the SIC967EVB-A board?

The SIC967EVB-A validates all key SiC967 protections: cycle-by-cycle overcurrent protection (OCP) with selectable 50%/75%/100% thresholds via the ILIM pin; output overvoltage protection (OVP) triggering at 120% V_OUT; output undervoltage/short-circuit protection (UVP/SCP) with hiccup-mode recovery; overtemperature protection (OTP) at 150 °C with 35 °C hysteresis; and precise power-good (PGOOD) signaling with 25 µs blanking. These are confirmed through fault injection tests using the board's accessible test points and GPIO-controlled EN/ILIM/MODE pins.

Is thermal performance data for the SiC967 available from the SIC967EVB-A?

Yes - the SIC967EVB-A enables direct thermal characterization per Fig. 13 and Fig. 16 in the SiC967 datasheet. Its copper-pour layout, exposed thermal pad connection, and standardized footprint allow measurement of case temperature versus output current at fixed input voltages (e.g., VIN = 48 V, VOUT = 5 V). Engineers can use the board to verify thermal derating curves, assess heatsink requirements, and correlate junction temperature estimates using the documented θ_JA = 12 °C/W and θ_JC = 2 °C/W values - all validated under real operating conditions on the SIC967EVB-A.