Texas Instruments TPS659122EVM-081

Overview

TPS659122EVM-081 from Texas Instruments is an evaluation module designed to demonstrate and validate the TPS659122 power management IC (PMIC), a highly integrated, programmable PMU for application processors. It supports four step-down converters (up to 2.5 A), ten LDOs, three RGB LED drivers, thermal monitoring, I²C/SPI control, and flexible power sequencing - all in a 3.6-mm × 3.6-mm DSBGA-81 package. The EVM enables rapid prototyping of smartphone, LTE modem, and tablet power architectures.

For engineers reviewing the TPS659122EVM-081 datasheet, TPS659122EVM-081 setup guide, TPS659122EVM-081 schematic, or TPS659122EVM-081 firmware configuration, this module provides full hardware access to all PMIC resources - including DC-DC enable/control pins, LDO outputs, GPIO/LED multiplexing, voltage scaling interfaces (CLK_REQ1/2, VCON_PWM/CLK), and interrupt signaling - enabling complete validation of dynamic voltage scaling, power-up sequencing, and system-level power state transitions.

Technical Context

The TPS659122EVM-081 implements the full reference design for the TPS659122 PMIC, featuring discrete external components matching TI's recommended values: 1-μH inductors for DCDC1–DCDC4, 10–22-μF input capacitors, 4.7–47-μF output capacitors, and 100-nF decoupling on VREF1V25, CVCC, and CVDDIO. All 81 DSBGA balls are routed to test points or headers, preserving signal integrity for high-frequency switching nodes (SW1–SW4) and analog-sensitive paths (AGND, VREF1V25, VLDOx).

It supports both I²C and SPI communication modes via jumper-selectable DEF_SPI_I2C-GPIO, exposes all 10 LDO outputs with individual test points, and provides dedicated connectors for host processor interface signals (nPWRON, INT1, SLEEP/PWR_REQ, CONFIG1/2), enabling direct integration into OMAP- or similar application processor development environments.

Key Specifications

Availability

TPS659122EVM-081 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone platform bring-up, LTE modem power validation, and industrial embedded processor reference design requiring stable component supply, full documentation traceability, and long-term evaluation hardware availability.

Supply support for TPS659122EVM-081 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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company specializing in analog, embedded processing, and power management technologies, with over 90 years of innovation in high-reliability, low-power system solutions.

The TPS659122EVM-081 belongs to TI's Power Management Evaluation Modules product line, engineered specifically to accelerate adoption of the TPS65912x family in mobile and wireless applications demanding multi-rail sequencing, dynamic voltage scaling, and compact footprint.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the TPS659122EVM-081?

The TPS659122EVM-081 is an evaluation module that provides a complete, ready-to-use hardware platform for developing, testing, and validating the TPS659122 power management IC. It enables engineers to configure and verify all key functions - including DC-DC converter regulation, LDO output control, RGB LED dimming, GPIO mapping, thermal shutdown behavior, and power-up/power-down sequencing - without designing custom PCBs. The TPS659122EVM-081 includes all necessary passive components, test points, and interface headers to directly connect to host processors and debug tools.

Does the TPS659122EVM-081 support both I²C and SPI communication with the host system?

Yes, the TPS659122EVM-081 supports both I²C and SPI communication modes. A jumper (J1) selects between them by controlling the DEF_SPI_I2C-GPIO pin on the TPS659122. When set to I²C mode, pins D5 (SCL_CLK) and E4 (SDA_MOSI) serve as clock and data lines; in SPI mode, those same pins become SCK and MOSI, while D4 (GPIO1_MISO) and C4 (GPIO2_CE) function as MISO and chip enable. Pull-up resistors and level-shifting circuitry ensure compatibility with 1.8-V or 3.3-V host logic levels.

Can the TPS659122EVM-081 be used to validate dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) sequences?

Yes, the TPS659122EVM-081 fully supports dynamic voltage scaling validation. It exposes the dedicated DVS interface pins - SCL_AVS (CLK_REQ1), SDA_AVS (CLK_REQ2), VCON_PWM, and VCON_CLK - allowing direct connection to host processor DVS control logic. Engineers can use TI Power Management Studio or custom firmware to program AVS registers, trigger voltage transitions on DCDC1–DCDC4, and monitor timing, settling behavior, and rail interdependence during scaling events - all using the TPS659122EVM-081's accessible test points and oscilloscope-friendly layout.

How does the TPS659122EVM-081 handle power sequencing for multi-rail systems?

The TPS659122EVM-081 implements the full OTP-programmable power sequencing engine of the TPS659122. It allows users to define custom power-up and power-down orders across all 14 regulated outputs (4 DC-DCs + 10 LDOs) via register configuration. Sequencing is controlled through ENABLE pins (EN1–EN4), CONFIG1/CONFIG2, and dedicated request signals (PWR_REQ, CLK_REQ1/2). The EVM provides jumpers and test points to inject external sequencing triggers or override internal states, enabling verification of complex boot flows required by application processors like OMAP.

Is the TPS659122EVM-081 compatible with TI's Power Management Studio software?

Yes, the TPS659122EVM-081 is fully supported by TI Power Management Studio (PMS), a Windows-based GUI tool for configuring, monitoring, and debugging TI PMICs. PMS communicates with the TPS659122EVM-081 via an onboard USB-to-I²C bridge (TUSB3410), enabling real-time register read/write, sequencing script upload, voltage/current telemetry logging, and fault analysis. The EVM ships with preloaded default configurations aligned with TPS659122 datasheet tables, ensuring immediate usability with PMS out-of-the-box.