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

Overview

TBMA820-Q-RD-01A from Monolithic Power Systems is a long-format (LT) evaluation board designed specifically for the MA820 MagAlpha magnetic position sensor. It provides side-shaft and end-of-shaft mounting configurations, supports SPI serial interface and incremental encoder outputs (A/B/Z), and enables rapid functional validation of angle sensing in motor control systems using 3.3V supply and standard 0.1" headers.

For engineers reviewing the TBMA820-Q-RD-01A datasheet, TBMA820-Q-RD-01A pinout, TBMA820-Q-RD-01A application, or TBMA820-Q-RD-01A equivalent, this board delivers immediate hardware access to MA820 sensor outputs-including PWM, U/V/W commutation signals, and A/B/Z quadrature-without custom PCB design, accelerating development for BLDC motor feedback and robotic joint sensing.

Technical Context

The TBMA820-Q-RD-01A implements Board Type 1 architecture per the TBMA User Guide Rev. 1.2, featuring dual 8-pin 0.1" connectors (CN1/CN2), on-board 1µF decoupling capacitors (C1, C4), and optional 100nF capacitor (C3). It routes all MA820 primary digital interfaces-SPI (CS/SCLK/MISO/MOSI), VDD (3.3V), GND, VFLASH (3.9V), TEST-and sensor-specific outputs including U/V/W, A/B/Z, PWM, and TEST.

This board type does not include populated connectors or I/O resistors, requires external 3.3V power, and relies on the host system for SPI master timing and signal conditioning. Pin functions are fixed per Table 3 and do not support reconfiguration or voltage-level shifting.

Key Specifications

Availability

TBMA820-Q-RD-01A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for servo drives, robotics motion control, and brushless DC motor commutation requiring stable component supply, consistent mechanical form factor, and direct MagAlpha sensor interoperability.

Supply support for TBMA820-Q-RD-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 global design centers and ISO 9001-certified quality systems.

TBMA820-Q-RD-01A belongs to the TBMA test board product line, engineered to accelerate evaluation of MagAlpha magnetic position sensors in real-world mechanical configurations-specifically targeting motor control, robotics, and automotive subsystems where angular accuracy and robustness under vibration are critical.

FAQ

Does TBMA820-Q-RD-01A include the MA820 sensor pre-soldered?

Yes. The board ships fully assembled with the MA820 MagAlpha magnetic position sensor mounted, along with two 1µF decoupling capacitors (C1, C4) and one optional 100nF capacitor footprint (C3). No additional soldering is required to begin evaluation.

What mechanical mounting options does TBMA820-Q-RD-01A support?

TBMA820-Q-RD-01A supports both side-shaft and end-of-shaft configurations due to its long (LT) format and edge-mounted sensor placement. The board includes a 3mm-diameter mounting hole and slot (120mil × 1270mil) aligned to accommodate common shaft geometries without adapter plates.

Which communication protocols are accessible via the TBMA820-Q-RD-01A connectors?

Only SPI is natively supported through CN1 pins (CS/SCLK/MISO/MOSI). CN2 provides direct access to MA820's functional outputs-U/V/W, A/B/Z, PWM, and TEST-but no protocol translation or level-shifting circuitry is included.

Is VFLASH pin powered during normal operation?

No. VFLASH (CN1.3) is supplied with 3.9V exclusively during firmware flashing operations. During standard sensor operation, it must remain unpowered or disconnected to prevent damage or undefined behavior.

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

Yes. The TBMA820-Q-RD-01A is explicitly listed as compatible with the EVKT-MagAlpha-MagDiff kit per the TBMA User Guide Rev. 1.2, enabling plug-and-play connection for differential magnetic field testing and noise immunity validation.

Are connectors included with the TBMA820-Q-RD-01A board?

No. CN1 and CN2 are unpopulated 8-position 0.1" receptacle footprints. Users must supply compatible 2.54mm-pitch male headers (e.g., Wurth 690367280876 or TE Connectivity 7-2178711-8) for connection to host systems or test equipment.