STMicroelectronics STEVAL-IFP044V1

Overview

STEVAL-IFP044V1 from STMicroelectronics is an industrial digital output expansion board built around the IPS2050H-32 dual high-side smart power switch, supporting up to 5.7 A per channel at 8–33 V (extendable to 60 V), featuring 5 kV galvanic isolation, per-channel overload/over-temperature diagnostics, and Arduino UNO R3 & STM32 Nucleo compatibility for PLC I/O module evaluation.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-IFP044V1 datasheet, STEVAL-IFP044V1 pinout, STEVAL-IFP044V1 application, or STEVAL-IFP044V1 equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of high-current digital output driving, fault diagnostics, and multi-board stacking in industrial control systems with optocoupled microcontroller interfacing.

Technical Context

The board implements two independent high-side switching channels using the IPS2050H-32, each with programmable current limiting, fast decay for inductive loads, and smart capacitive load driving. Control signals are isolated via 5 kV optocouplers, and diagnostic feedback (FLT1/FLT2) is provided per channel.

It supports flexible power input (8–33 V standard, up to 60 V with J3 open), reverse polarity protection on supply rails, and stacking of up to four boards for eight-channel 5.7 A digital output evaluation-targeting modular PLC backplane architectures with deterministic fault reporting.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-IFP044V1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC I/O module development, factory automation prototyping, and high-reliability digital output subsystem validation requiring stable component supply and CE/RoHS-compliant evaluation hardware.

Supply support for STEVAL-IFP044V1 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

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power ICs, sensors, and analog/mixed-signal devices for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The STEVAL-IFP044V1 belongs to ST's industrial evaluation board portfolio, engineered specifically to accelerate adoption of its IPS2050H-32 smart power switches in programmable logic controller and distributed I/O module designs.

FAQ

What microcontroller platforms does STEVAL-IFP044V1 directly support?

STEVAL-IFP044V1 natively supports STM32 Nucleo boards (NUCLEO-F401RE and NUCLEO-G431RB) via GPIO-driven 5 kV optocouplers and ships with Arduino UNO R3 pinout as default. The ST morpho connector is pre-populated but not mounted, allowing optional extension to other STM32-based carriers with compatible pin mapping.

How is overcurrent and thermal protection implemented on this board?

Each channel uses the IPS2050H-32's internal protection circuitry: per-channel overload detection triggers FLT1/FLT2 outputs, driving red LEDs for immediate visual fault indication. Protection thresholds are fixed by the IC (not software-configurable), and recovery is automatic after fault removal and cooldown.

Can multiple STEVAL-IFP044V1 boards be used together, and how is synchronization handled?

Yes - up to four boards can be physically stacked and electrically interconnected to form an 8-channel digital output system. No master-slave synchronization is required; each board operates independently with isolated control and diagnostic lines, enabling modular scalability without timing interdependence between channels.

Does STEVAL-IFP044V1 require external firmware or drivers to operate?

No standalone firmware is needed. ST provides the X-CUBE-IPS software expansion for STM32CubeMX, including HAL drivers and example projects for GPIO control, fault polling, and diagnostic logging. Basic operation only requires configuring MCU GPIOs as push-pull outputs for IN1/IN2 and inputs for FLT1/FLT2.