STMicroelectronics STEVAL-ISQ006V1

Overview

STEVAL-ISQ006V1 from STMicroelectronics is a USB-to-PMBus bridge demonstration board built around the ST72F651AR6 8-bit microcontroller, featuring integrated I²C peripheral for PMBus master functionality, mechanical dimensions of 79 mm × 39 mm × 20 mm, USB Type-B connector, and firmware compliant with PMBus™ v1.1 protocol - used to configure, monitor, and control up to four PMBus slave devices (e.g., ST PM881x digital power controllers) in lab validation and power system debug environments.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-ISQ006V1 datasheet, STEVAL-ISQ006V1 pinout, STEVAL-ISQ006V1 application, or STEVAL-ISQ006V1 equivalent, this board serves as a ready-to-run hardware platform for rapid PMBus command testing (READ_VIN, READ_VOUT, READ_IOUT, OPERATION, ALERT_RESPONSE), GUI-driven multi-slave enumeration, real-time telemetry polling, and firmware-level protocol verification without custom hardware development.

Technical Context

The board implements a full PMBus master stack in C firmware on the ST72F651AR6 MCU, supporting mandatory commands (e.g., OPERATION, ON_OFF_CONFIG, VOUT_COMMAND) and optional telemetry reads per PMBus v1.1. It uses standard SMBus timing (100 kHz) and open-drain I²C signaling with 4.7 kΩ pull-ups on SDA/SCL lines.

USB communication is handled via CDC ACM class (virtual COM port), enabling transparent bridging between PC GUI and the PMBus physical layer. The board includes dedicated PMBus bus termination, LED status indicators for USB enumeration and PMBus activity, and jumper-selectable address configuration for slave device testing.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-ISQ006V1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for digital power system validation, PMBus protocol interoperability testing, and embedded power management firmware development requiring stable component supply and legacy evaluation board continuity.

Supply support for STEVAL-ISQ006V1 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, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, analog ICs, power management devices, and sensors for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

This board belongs to ST's STEVAL (ST Evaluation) series - purpose-built demonstration platforms that accelerate adoption of ST's digital power, interface, and system control technologies through validated hardware, GUI software, and reference firmware.

FAQ

Does STEVAL-ISQ006V1 support PMBus v1.2 or later specifications?

No. The firmware and hardware are strictly aligned with PMBus™ Specification v1.1 (November 2006). It does not implement v1.2 features such as PAGE_PLUS, WRITE_PROTECT, or enhanced alert handling. Users requiring v1.2+ must verify compatibility through command-level testing or consult ST's newer evaluation platforms like STEVAL-IPFC02V1.

Can the board operate without the PC GUI software?

No standalone operation mode is supported. The board requires the proprietary ST-provided Windows GUI application to send commands, parse responses, and display telemetry. The MCU firmware does not include autonomous logging, local display, or scriptable CLI - all control and monitoring flows through the USB-CDC interface and GUI.

What PMBus slave devices are verified for use with this board?

ST officially validated the board with PM8810, PM8811, and PM8812 digital power controllers. It also interoperates with non-ST PMBus v1.1-compliant devices (e.g., TI UCD9xxx, Infineon IR35xx) when using basic commands like READ_VOUT, OPERATION, and ALERT_RESPONSE - subject to address collision and timing tolerance checks.

Is source code for the ST72F651 firmware available?

Yes. ST provides complete ANSI C source code (including I²C driver, PMBus command parser, USB CDC handler, and GUI protocol framing) in the official STEVAL-ISQ006V1 firmware package. The code is structured for readability and modification, with comments mapping each function to corresponding PMBus v1.1 clauses.