STMicroelectronics STEVAL-ISB68RX

Overview

STEVAL-ISB68RX from STMicroelectronics is an evaluation board implementing the STWLC68 Qi 1.2.4-compliant 5 W Baseline Power Profile (BPP) wireless power receiver, delivering a fixed 5 V output, integrated USB-to-I²C bridge, and full FOD/overvoltage/overcurrent/overtemperature protection. It serves as a standalone test platform for validating STWLC68-based receiver designs in consumer wireless charging applications.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-ISB68RX datasheet, STEVAL-ISB68RX pinout, STEVAL-ISB68RX application, or STEVAL-ISB68RX equivalent, this board enables rapid GUI-driven configuration of STWLC68 registers, real-time monitoring of rectified voltage (VRECT), coil current, temperature via NTC, and fault status - critical for BPP compliance validation and interoperability testing with Qi transmitters.

Technical Context

The board hosts the STWLC68 IC - a fully integrated wireless power receiver with synchronous rectifier, digital controller, and analog front-end optimized for Qi 1.2.4 BPP. It supports 400 kHz I²C communication and includes dedicated GPIOs for external control and NTC-based thermal sensing.

Its USB-I²C converter (U2: MCP2221) provides direct PC connectivity without external adapters, enabling register-level access to STWLC68's internal state machine, FOD algorithm parameters, and power delivery configuration - essential for tuning efficiency and safety thresholds during development.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-ISB68RX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for Qi wireless charger validation, STWLC68 firmware development, and BPP compliance pre-testing requiring stable component supply and traceable evaluation hardware.

Supply support for STEVAL-ISB68RX 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, analog ICs, power management, sensors, and wireless solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The STEVAL-ISB68RX belongs to ST's wireless power evaluation platform family, developed specifically to accelerate design-in of Qi-compliant receivers using STWLC68 - targeting compact, cost-optimized 5 W charging systems for smartphones, wearables, and IoT peripherals.

FAQ

Does STEVAL-ISB68RX require external firmware programming to operate?

No. The board operates autonomously as a Qi BPP receiver out-of-box: when placed on a compliant transmitter, it delivers regulated 5 V without host intervention. Firmware loading is optional and only required for advanced customization via STSW-ISB68GUI - default settings are factory-programmed and fully functional.

Can STEVAL-ISB68RX be used to validate transmitter compatibility beyond Qi 1.2.4?

No. It implements only Qi 1.2.4 Baseline Power Profile and does not support Extended Power Profile (EPP), MP-A2, or proprietary protocols. Its FOD, power negotiation, and packet timing strictly follow Qi 1.2.4 specification - making it unsuitable for EPP or multi-mode transmitter testing.

What is the role of the 12-pin header (P5) on STEVAL-ISB68RX?

P5 provides direct access to STWLC68's internal signals: GPIO0–GPIO5, INTB, RSTB, SCL, SDA, VDD, VSSA, and VSSD. This header enables hardware-level debugging, custom sensor integration (e.g., external NTC), and direct control of STWLC68's state machine - bypassing the USB-I²C bridge for system-level integration.

Is the 5 V output capable of driving loads above 5 W?

No. The board is rated for 5 W maximum per Qi BPP specification. Attempting >5 W loads triggers overcurrent protection and automatic shutdown. Output current is limited to ≤1 A at 5 V; sustained operation above this threshold violates Qi compliance and risks thermal shutdown due to LDO (U5: LD2981) and MOSFET (U4: STL7N6F7) thermal limits.