Getting Started with the KITPF7100FRDMEVM

Last Modified: May 18, 2023Supports KITPF7100FRDMEVM | PF7100 Evaluation Board

Contents of this document

  • 1

    Out of the Box

  • 2

    Plug It In

  • 3

    Get Software

  • 4

    Configure Hardware

Purchase your KITPF7100FRDMEVM | PF7100 Evaluation Board

Contents of this document

1. Out of the Box

The NXP analog product development boards provide an easy-to-use platform for evaluating NXP products. The boards support a range of analog, mixed-signal and power solutions. They incorporate monolithic integrated circuits and system-in-package devices that use proven high-volume technology. NXP products offer longer battery life, a smaller form factor, reduced component counts, lower cost and improved performance in powering state-of-the-art systems.

This page will guide you through the process of setting up and using the KITPF7100FRDMEVM evaluation board.

1.1 Kit Contents

The KITPF7100FRDMEVM contents include:

  • Assembled and tested evaluation board and preprogrammed FRDM-KL25Z microcontroller board in an anti-static bag
  • USB-STD A to USB-B-mini cable
  • Quick Start guide

1.2 Additional Hardware

In addition to the kit contents, the following hardware is necessary or beneficial when working with this kit.

  • Power supply with a range of 3.0 V to 5.0 V and a current limit set initially to 1.0 A (maximum current consumption can be up to 7.0 A)

1.3 Windows PC Workstation

This evaluation board requires a Windows PC workstation. Meeting these minimum specifications should produce great results when working with this kit.

  • USB-enabled computer with Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10

1.4 Software

Installing software is necessary to work with this evaluation board.

Software package NXP_GUI_PR_revision.zip contains:

  • KL25Z firmware files
  • PF7100 NXPGUI setup
  • OTP mirror register read script

NextPlug It In

2. Plug It In

2.1 Board Description

The customer evaluation board features the PF7100 power management IC. The kit integrates all hardware needed to fully evaluate the PMIC. The PF7100 on the board is without OTP pre-programmed, allowing the user to define the OTP configuration for the device.

It integrates a communication bridge based on the FRDM-KL25Z freedom board to interface with the NXPGUI software, to fully configure and control the PF7100 PMIC.

2.2 Board Features

Buck regulators

  • SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, 0.4 V to 1.8 V; 2500 mA; 2 % accuracy and dynamic voltage scaling and single, dual, triple or quad-phase configuration
  • SW5; 1.0 V to 4.1 V; 2500 mA; 2 % accuracy
  • Configurable VTT termination mode on SW3
  • Programmable current limit
  • Spread-spectrum and manual tuning of switching frequency

LDO regulators

  • 2x LDO regulator 0.8 V to 5.0 V, 400 mA: 3 % accuracy with optional load switch mode
  • Selectable hardware/software control on LDO2

RTC supply VSNVSs

  • VSNVS1, 1.8 V/3.0 V/3.3 V, 10 mA
  • VSNVS2, 0.8 V/0.9 V/1.8 V, 10 mA

System features

  • 2.5 V to 5.5 V operating input voltage range
  • USB to I²C communication via the FRDM-KL25Z interface
  • Selectable hardwire default PMIC configuration or OTP/TBB operation
  • Fast mode I²C communication at 400 kHz (high-speed operation supported by PMIC)
  • Advance system monitoring/diagnostic via PMIC and/or system AMUX
  • Controller/target interface connector
  • Onboard I/O regulator with 1.8 V/3.3 V selectable output voltage

2.3 Board Components

Overview of the KITPF7100FRDMEVM evaluation board.


  1. FRDM-KL25Z Freedom board connector
  2. PF7100 PMIC
  3. SW1, SW2, SW3 and SW4 power connector
  4. SW5 power connector
  5. LDO and VSNVS power connector
  6. Input power banana jack
  7. External analog multiplexer
  8. PMIC I/O test points
  9. Analog supplies test points
  10. 1.8 V/3.3 V external LDO regulator
  11. Controller/target interface connector
  12. PWRON button
  13. IO LED indicator

PreviousOut of the Box
NextGet Software

3. Get Software

The KITPF7100FRDMEVM can use the NXPGUI for any of the PF7100 devices. Prior to the installation of the NXPGUI software and performing device firmware updates (if needed), download and unzip the NXP_GUI_PR_version.zip file to any desired location.

Open and run the NXP_GUI_version_Setup.exe file from the unzipped package. This installs the NXPGUI software in the system. Install it in a local destination folder.

The installation package is available at PF7100 Evaluation Board.

3.1 Updating the PF7100 NXPGUI Firmware

The FRDM-KL25Z freedom board is used to operate as a communication bridge to interface the NXPGUI with the PMIC and other I²C devices. The firmware is organized in three levels:

  1. At first level, the SDA uses the BOOTLOADER to operate as the main path to flash the functional code of the SDA processor. The BOOTLOADER is preprogrammed on the FRDM-KL25Z freedom boards and cannot be reflashed to avoid permanent damage to the Freedom board
  2. At second level, the SDA provides a firmware loader for quick drag and drop update of the KL25Z MCU firmware
  3. At the third level, the KL25Z MCU provides the NXPGUI firmware in charge of converting the USB communication into MCU instructions to control digital I/Os, as well as I²C communication to the PMIC

If the FRDM-KL25Z is not loaded with the correct firmware to support a future software upgrade, the firmware can be updated in a few simple steps.

Note: The following firmware updates are optional and can be skipped if the firmware is up-to-date.

3.2 Flashing the FRDM-KL25Z Firmware Loader

  • Press the push button on the Freedom board and connect the USB cable into the SDA port on the Freedom board. A new BOOTLOADER device should appear on the left pane of the file explorer. This step is optional and should be performed only if the FRDM_KL25Z driver does not appear when the SDA port is connected
  • Drag and drop the file MSD-DEBUG-FRDM-KL25Z_Pemicro_v118.SDA into the BOOTLOADER drive. File should be located in the KL25Z firmware folder
  • Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable into the SDA port (this time without pressing the push button). A new device called FRDM_KL25Z is installed on the PC

3.3 Flashing the NXPGUI Firmware

If a new software or silicon release requires a firmware update on the FRDM-KL25Z freedom board, use the following steps to upgrade or downgrade the firmware of the freedom board as needed. Note that this procedure is needed only to update the firmware and may be skipped if no change is needed.

  • Connect the USB cable in the SDA port (without holding the push button). The PC installs a new device called FRDM_KL25Z
  • Locate the ".bin" NXPGUI driver to be installed, for example nxp-gui-fw-frdmkl25z-usb_hid-pf7100_version.bin and drag and drop the file into the FRDM_KL25Z driver
  • Freedom board firmware is successfully loaded

PreviousPlug It In
NextConfigure Hardware

4. Configure Hardware

4.1 Overview

  1. Connect the USB cable from the PC to the USB port on the Freedom board and apply VIN to the evaluation board
    • Provide external VIN between 3.0 V to 5.5 V on J10 (VIN) and J4 (GND)
    • Short jumper J7 1-2 to provide 5.0 V Vin from Freedom board (use this mode of operation for functional demonstration only, no regulation loading allowed in this mode)
  2. Open the NXPGUI application from the installation folder or from the Start menu to start the application
  3. The NXPGUI launcher is displayed with a list of possible configurations to load the NXPGUI. Select the appropriate option for device and silicon revision to be used. If the device revision populated on the KITPF7100FRDMEVM is not available in the list, contact your NXP representative to obtain the latest software update suitable for your device. Click OK to launch the NXPGUI
  4. Press Reset on the Freedom board, only if the board is not properly recognized The USB-HID connection automatically searches for the KITPF7100FRDMEVM if a valid board is connected. This is displayed by the active Start button on the top-left corner of the NXPGUI, then click Start to create a connection. The Start button changes to Stop after clicking. The device status can be read from the bottom-left corner of the NXPGUI. Once the device is connected, the system is ready for hardwire or TBB operation as desired.

PreviousGet Software
NextDesign Resources

Design Resources

Board Information

The product summary page for PF7100 is at 7-Channel Power Management Integrated Circuit for High Performance Applications, Fit for ASIL B Safety Level .

Additional Resources

Product Summary Page

The product summary page for PF7100 is at 7-Channel Power Management Integrated Circuit for High Performance Applications, Fit for ASIL B Safety Level .

Tool Summary Page

The tool summary page for the KITPF7100FRDMEVM board is at PF7100 Evaluation Board.

The page provides overview information, technical and functional specifications, ordering information, documentation and software. The 'Get Started' guide provides quick-reference information applicable to using the KITPF7100FRDMEVM board, including the downloadable assets.

In addition to our PF7100: 7-Channel Power Management Integrated Circuit for High Performance Applications, Fit for ASIL B Safety Level page, you may also want to visit:

References

Application pages:

Hardware pages:

Software pages:

Community page:

PreviousConfigure Hardware