Power demo boards are getting increasingly sophisticated.
Here are ten eval boards with some unique features that might be good to have on hand for your next build:
This low power boost converter from Silicon Labs has an industry leading low quiescent current of 150nA, which gives it an extra-long battery life in systems that run from multiple battery sources. It comes with two output load switch options: one is always-on for analog, and a second is capable of immediately producing the regulated voltage at higher-currents that new digital loads tend to require.
2. STEVAL-ISA100V1 from STMicroelectronics
A step down switching demo board from STMicroelectronics that is based on the L7986A switching regulator, which is able to deliver up to 3A current to the load. It has wide input voltage range—from 4.5V to 38V, and the output voltage can be set starting from .6V to VIN .
3. LMZ21700EVM from Texas Instruments
This is an easy to use DC-DC solution with small footprint from Texas Instruments. It can deliver up to 1A with great power conversion efficiency and precise output accuracy. The design incorporates turret terminals for easy connection and a power good flag for easy monitoring.
4. BQ51050BEVM-764 from Texas Instruments
This wireless charging board from TI is high-performance and easy to use. It provides AC/DC power conversion with an advanced, secondary-side direct Li-Ion charge-controller device. A secondary coil embedded in the portable device picks up power from the primary coil using near-field inductive power transfer. The end result is a complete contact-free power transfer system for a wireless direct battery charger solution.
5. EVAL6393FB from STMicroelectronics
This full bridge demo board with high voltage gate driver from STMicroelectronics allows engineers to use two L6393 drivers to drive a single-phase load through a full-bridge topology. You can control the direction and the value of the current flowing into the load, and it has an optimized layout that’s simple to run—just apply the bus voltage and a direction signal and you’re good to go.
6. EVAL6574B from STMicroelectronics
This AC input lighting driver demo board from STMicroelectronics is a high performance ballast driver designed with 600V BCD offline technology, which guarantees all the features you need to drive and control a fluorescent light. It comes with built in start-up sequence circuitry, protections, and an operation amplifier for implementing a closed loop control of the lamp current.
7. IRDC3841W from International Rectifier
This synchronous buck regulator from International Rectifier has an impressive voltage output of +1.8V from 0-8A. It has a programmable soft start ramp and precision .7V reference voltage, as well. An overcurrent protection function senses the voltage developed across the on resistance of the MOSFET and works to optimize the design.
8. TC1303DM-DDBK2 from Microchip Technology
This adjustable output dev board from Microchip has a unique combo of a 500mA synchronous buck regulator and a 300 mA low-dropout regulator with a power good monitor that provides a highly integrated solution for dual supply applications. It’s cheap, takes up minimal board space, and has a small DFN package size.
The integrated inductor design of this wide range Vout demo board from Altera enables a tiny solution footprint, low output ripple, low part count, and high reliability. The entire thing can be implemented in as little as 21mm2. It’s great for noise and space sensitive applications.
10. EFL700EVALKIT from STMicroelectronics
This comprehensive battery management eval board from STMicroelectronics lets you manage the charge and voltage regulation of the EFL700A39. It protects your battery against deep discharge and allows recharging by an external energy harvesting source or USB port. A built in supercapacitor allows it to sustain high-pulsed discharge current.