Monolithic Power Systems Inc. TBMA850-Q-LT-01A

Overview

TBMA850-Q-LT-01A from Monolithic Power Systems is a long-format (LT) evaluation board designed specifically for the MA850 MagAlpha magnetic position sensor. It supports both side-shaft and end-of-shaft mounting configurations, provides SPI interface access via two 8-pin 2.54mm headers (CN1/CN2), and integrates decoupling capacitors (1µF ×2, 100nF ×1) and an unpopulated connector footprint. It enables rapid functional validation of MA850 in motor commutation and incremental encoder applications.

For engineers reviewing the TBMA850-Q-LT-01A datasheet, TBMA850-Q-LT-01A pinout, TBMA850-Q-LT-01A application, or TBMA850-Q-LT-01A equivalent, this board delivers verified mechanical layout, documented SPI register mapping, and compatibility with EVKT-MagAlpha-MagDiff and EVKT-MACOM evaluation kits - critical for validating angle-sensing performance under real-world shaft alignment and magnetic field conditions.

Technical Context

The TBMA850-Q-LT-01A implements Type 2 board architecture per the TBMA User Guide Rev. 1.2, matching the MA850's pinout and electrical interface requirements. It routes VDD (3.3V), GND, CS, SCLK, MISO, MOSI, TEST, and dual I/O banks (IO1–IO6) to CN1 and CN2 headers, with MGH/MGL outputs exposed for magnetic threshold verification.

It omits on-board voltage regulation and flash power circuitry (VFLASH), relying on external 3.3V supply, and includes optional 0Ω resistors (R1/R2) and unpopulated 100nF capacitor footprints to support signal conditioning or noise filtering per application-specific tuning.

Key Specifications

Availability

TBMA850-Q-LT-01A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for servo drives, robotics motion control, and BLDC motor commutation requiring stable component supply, consistent mechanical form factor, and repeatable magnetic field test setup.

Supply support for TBMA850-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 design centers across Asia and North America.

TBMA850-Q-LT-01A belongs to the TBMA test board product line, engineered to accelerate development of magnetic position sensing systems using MagAlpha sensors - targeting automotive EPS, industrial servos, and precision motor control where contactless angular measurement is required.

FAQ

Does TBMA850-Q-LT-01A include the MA850 sensor pre-mounted?

Yes. The board ships fully assembled with the MA850 MagAlpha sensor soldered in place, along with two 1µF decoupling capacitors (C1, C4), one optional 100nF capacitor (C2), and two 0Ω resistors (R1, R2). Connectors CN1 and CN2 are not populated but footprints are provided.

What is the mechanical form factor of TBMA850-Q-LT-01A?

TBMA850-Q-LT-01A follows the "long (LT)" mechanical layout defined in the TBMA User Guide Rev. 1.2, with the MA850 mounted at the board edge to accommodate both side-shaft and end-of-shaft magnet coupling. Its dimensions match Type 2 LT specifications: 2350 mil × 500 mil (59.69 mm × 12.7 mm) with a 3 mm diameter cutout and 120 mil × 1270 mil slot.

Which evaluation kits is TBMA850-Q-LT-01A compatible with?

TBMA850-Q-LT-01A is explicitly compatible with the EVKT-MagAlpha-MagDiff and EVKT-MACOM evaluation kits, enabling seamless interconnection via standard 2.54mm headers and shared SPI protocol timing. No adapter or firmware modification is required for basic communication and angle readout.

Are VFLASH or analog output pins accessible on this board?

No. TBMA850-Q-LT-01A (Type 2) does not route VFLASH or analog outputs. It exposes only digital I/Os: SPI signals (CS/SCLK/MISO/MOSI), TEST, and six configurable I/O pins (IO1–IO6) plus MGH/MGL - consistent with MA850's Type 2 pin assignment and intended use in digital commutation and encoder feedback.

Can TBMA850-Q-LT-01A be used without external magnets?

No. The board requires an external diametrically magnetized magnet (e.g., MPS MAG10 ring or cylinder) positioned relative to the MA850's sensing plane. Magnetic field strength, air gap, and axial alignment directly impact angle accuracy and must be validated per application per the MA850 datasheet and TBMA User Guide mechanical drawings.