STMicroelectronics STEVAL-ISA190V1

Overview

STEVAL-ISA190V1 from STMicroelectronics is an evaluation board for the A6986F 38 V, 1.5 A synchronous step-down switching regulator, designed for automotive battery-powered systems requiring cold-crank resilience (100% duty cycle), wide 4–38 V input range, and dual operating modes (LCM/LNM). It delivers adjustable 0.85–VIN output voltage with programmable 250 kHz–2 MHz f_SW, 30 µA light-load I_Q, and integrated supervision/sequencing.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-ISA190V1 datasheet, STEVAL-ISA190V1 pinout, STEVAL-ISA190V1 application, or STEVAL-ISA190V1 equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of A6986F performance in automotive body electronics, infotainment power rails, and start-stop systems under real-world voltage transients and low-quiescent-current constraints.

Technical Context

The board implements the A6986F's peak current mode control architecture with internal high-side (R_DS(on) = 180 mΩ) and low-side (R_DS(on) = 150 mΩ) MOSFETs, enabling efficient 1.5 A DC output across 4–38 V input. It supports synchronization, adjustable soft-start, ISKIP current programming, and embedded output voltage supervisor for fault-safe sequencing.

Two configurable operating modes are exposed: Low Consumption Mode (LCM) with 30 µA I_Q at 12 V_IN/3.3 V_OUT, and Low Noise Mode (LNM) enforcing forced PWM across all loads-critical for AM-band-sensitive infotainment supplies.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-ISA190V1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body control modules, infotainment power supplies, and start-stop system auxiliary rails requiring stable component supply, design validation support, and production-representative test platforms.

Supply support for STEVAL-ISA190V1 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, analog devices, and MEMS sensors for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications.

The A6986F product line targets automotive power conversion with AEC-Q100 qualification, cold-crank capability, and dual-mode efficiency optimization-specifically engineered for always-on body electronics and noise-sensitive infotainment subsystems.

FAQ

What input voltage transients can STEVAL-ISA190V1 withstand during cold-crank testing?

The board implements the A6986F's 100% duty cycle capability and 4–38 V operating range, enabling stable regulation down to ≤3.5 V input-meeting ISO 16750-2 cold-crank pulse profiles for 12 V automotive systems without dropout or reset.

How is low-noise operation achieved on this evaluation board?

Low Noise Mode (LNM) forces continuous PWM operation across all load conditions by disabling pulse-skipping, eliminating audible switching noise and spectral sidebands-verified per CISPR 25 Class 5 requirements for infotainment power supplies.

Can output voltage sequencing be demonstrated using STEVAL-ISA190V1?

Yes-the A6986F's embedded output voltage supervisor and adjustable soft-start allow precise control of power-up timing between multiple rails; the board exposes SS/INH and RST pins for external sequencing coordination with companion regulators.

What are the default configuration settings on the shipped STEVAL-ISA190V1 board?

The default setup delivers 6 V output in Low Consumption Mode (LCM), 500 kHz switching frequency, high-level ISKIP current, and disabled switchover; jumpers J2 (switchover), J5 (ISKIP), and J1 (SS/INH) are factory-configured to achieve this baseline.