Monolithic Power Systems Inc. TBMA820-Q-LT-01A

Overview

TBMA820-Q-LT-01A from Monolithic Power Systems is a long-format (LT) evaluation board designed specifically for the MA820 MagAlpha magnetic position sensor. It supports both side-shaft and end-of-shaft mounting configurations, provides SPI interface access via dual 8-pin headers (CN1/CN2), and integrates decoupling capacitors and a pre-mounted MA820 sensor for rapid functional validation in motor commutation and encoder applications.

For engineers reviewing the TBMA820-Q-LT-01A datasheet, TBMA820-Q-LT-01A pinout, TBMA820-Q-LT-01A application, or TBMA820-Q-LT-01A equivalent, this board enables immediate hardware-level testing of MA820 angle sensing performance-including incremental A/B/Z outputs, PWM, and test/debug signal routing-without custom PCB design or sensor soldering.

Technical Context

The TBMA820-Q-LT-01A implements Board Type 2 architecture per the TBMA User Guide Rev. 1.2, featuring two unpopulated 2.54 mm 8-position receptacle connectors (CN1/CN2), 1 µF and 100 nF Murata decoupling capacitors, and direct routing of MA820's serial interface (CS/SCLK/MISO/MOSI), test pin, and configurable I/Os (IO1–IO6, MGH, MGL). It does not include onboard voltage regulation or flash programming circuitry.

This board type is optimized for evaluating MA820's programmable output modes-including differential analog, PWM, and digital I/O configurations-while maintaining mechanical compatibility with MACOM evaluation kits and EVKT-MagAlpha-MagDiff. Pin assignments align strictly with MA820's native pin mapping, not generic MagAlpha family defaults.

Key Specifications

Availability

TBMA820-Q-LT-01A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for servo drives, robotics, BLDC motor commutation, and encoder development requiring stable component supply and rapid MagAlpha sensor validation.

Supply support for TBMA820-Q-LT-01A 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

Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in high-performance power management and sensing solutions, with core expertise in DC/DC converters, LED drivers, and magnetic position sensors.

TBMA820-Q-LT-01A belongs to the TBMA test board product line, engineered to accelerate evaluation of MagAlpha magnetic angle sensors across automotive, industrial, and motor control applications by eliminating prototyping barriers.

FAQ

Does TBMA820-Q-LT-01A include connectors or are they optional?

No, TBMA820-Q-LT-01A ships with unpopulated 2.54 mm 8-position receptacle footprints (CN1 and CN2) only - connectors must be sourced separately. Recommended parts are Wurth 690367280876 or TE Connectivity 7-2178711-8, as specified in the BOM for Type 2 boards.

Which MagAlpha sensor is mounted on TBMA820-Q-LT-01A?

The board is populated with the MA820 MagAlpha magnetic position sensor, confirmed by Table 1 (Board Type 2) in the TBMA User Guide Rev. 1.2. This is a dedicated variant - not interchangeable with MA800, MA850, or other members of the MagAlpha family without hardware revision.

Can TBMA820-Q-LT-01A be used with the EVKT-MagAlpha-MagDiff kit?

Yes, TBMA820-Q-LT-01A is explicitly listed as compatible with the EVKT-MagAlpha-MagDiff evaluation kit per the User Guide. Mechanical alignment and signal-level interface (SPI, I/O) are maintained, enabling plug-and-play integration for comparative sensor characterization.

What are the key differences between TBMA820-Q-LT-01A and TBMA820-Q-LT (no suffix)?

TBMA820-Q-LT-01A denotes the production-released revision per MPS documentation - it corresponds to Type 2 board layout, BOM, and pinout defined in Rev. 1.2 of the User Guide. The "-01A" suffix confirms compliance with the latest mechanical and electrical specifications, including capacitor values and footprint tolerances.

Is firmware or configuration software required to operate TBMA820-Q-LT-01A?

No standalone firmware is bundled. Operation relies on host MCU or logic analyzer driving the SPI interface (CS/SCLK/MISO/MOSI) to read MA820 register data. MPS provides reference code and register maps in the MA820 datasheet and MagAlpha Design Center tools - no proprietary software is mandatory.

Does TBMA820-Q-LT-01A support magnetic field calibration out-of-box?

No, the board provides raw sensor access only. Calibration (e.g., offset, gain, nonlinearity correction) must be performed externally using host system software and known reference angles. The MA820 itself supports on-chip linearization, but configuration requires SPI writes to specific registers - no auto-calibration circuitry is present on the TBMA board.