Contents of this document

1
Out of the Box
2
Get to Know the Hardware
3
Install and Configure Software Tools
4
Configure Hardware

Design Resources

Purchase your FRDMGD3160CSLEVM Half-Bridge Evaluation Board

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 FRDMGD3160CSLEVM board.

1.1 Kit Content and Packing List

The FRDMGD3160CSLEVM kit contents include:

Assembled and tested evaluation board in an antistatic bag
3.3 V to 5.0 V translator board (KITGD316XTREVB) connected to FRDM-KL25Z
USB cable, type A male/type mini B male, 3 ft
Quick start guide

Mark as complete:1.1 Kit Content and Packing List

1.2 Additional Hardware

To use this kit, you need:

Bosch SiC module CSL A-sample
DC link capacitor compatible with the HybridPACK Drive module
1.27 mm jumpers for configuration (included with kit)
30 µH to 50 µH, high current air core inductor for double pulse testing
HV power supply with protection shield and hearing protection
25 V, 1.0 A DC power supply
500 MHz 2.5 GS/s 4-channel oscilloscope
Rogowski coil
Isolated high-voltage probe
Digital voltmeter

Mark as complete:1.2 Additional Hardware

1.3 Minimum System Requirements

The kit requires the following to function properly with the software:

Windows 7 or higher operating system

Mark as complete:1.3 Minimum System Requirements

NextGet to Know the Hardware

2. Get to Know the Hardware

2.1 Board Features

Capability to connect to Bosch CSL SiC module for half-bridge evaluations
Negative VEE gate low drive level (configurable with potentiometer from -2.0 V to -8.0 V DC)
Adjustable VCCREG regulated high gate drive level (15 V to 21 V DC)
Jumper configurable for disabling dead time fault protection when short-circuit testing
Easy access power, ground and signal test points
Easy to install and use FlexGUI for interfacing via SPI through PC; software includes double pulse and short-circuit testing capability
Negative temperature coefficient (NTC) connection and configurable for monitoring module temperature

Mark as complete:2.1 Board Features

2.2 Board Description

The FRDMGD3160CSLEVM is a half-bridge evaluation board populated with two GD3160 single channel IGBT or SiC gate drive devices. The board supports connection to an FRDM-KL25Z microcontroller for SPI communication configuration programming and monitoring. The board includes desaturation (DESAT) circuitry for short-circuit detection and implementation of GD3160 shutdown protection capabilities.

The evaluation board is designed to connect to Bosch CSL SiC module for evaluation of the GD3160 performance and capabilities.

Mark as complete:2.2 Board Description

2.3 Board Components

Overview of the FRDMGD3160CSLEVM board

The FRDMGD3160CSLEVM is a half-bridge evaluation kit populated with two GD3160 single channel gate drive devices. The kit includes the Freedom KL25Z microcontroller hardware for interfacing a PC installed with FlexGUI software. This NXP software interfaces the communication to the serial peripheral interface (SPI) registers on the GD3160 gate drive devices in either daisy chain or standalone configuration.

The KITGD316XTREVB translator board is used to translate 3.3 V signals to 5.0 V signals between the MCU and GD3160 gate drivers. The evaluation kit can be connected to a compatible insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) or SiC module for half-bridge evaluations and applications development.

Kinetis KL25Z Freedom Board

The Freedom KL25Z is an ultra low-cost development platform for Kinetis L series MCU built on Arm Cortex-M0+ processor.

Figure 1. Freedom development platform

3.3 V to 5.0 V Translator Board

KITGD316XTREVB translator enables level shifting of signals from MCU 3.3 V to 5.0 V SPI communication.

Figure 2. Translator board

Table 1. Translator board jumper definitions

Jumper	Position	Function
VCCSEL (`J3`)	1-2	selects 5.0 V for 5.0 V compatible gate drive
VCCSEL (`J3`)	2-3	selects 3.3 V for 3.3 V compatible gate drive
PWMH_SEL (`J4`)	1-2	selects PWM high-side control from KL25Z MCU
PWMH_SEL (`J4`)	2-3	selects PWM high-side control from fiber optic receiver inputs
PWML_SEL (`J5`)	1-2	selects PWM low-side control from KL25Z MCU
PWML_SEL (`J5`)	2-3	selects PWM low-side control from fiber optic receiver inputs

Mark as complete:2.3 Board Components

PreviousOut of the Box

NextInstall and Configure Software Tools

3. Install and Configure Software Tools

Software for FRDMGD3160CSLEVM is distributed with the FlexGUI tool (available on NXP.com). Necessary firmware comes pre-installed on the FRDM-KL25Z with the kit.

Even if the user intends to test with other software or PWM, it is recommended to install this software as a backup or to help debugging.

3.1 Installing FlexGUI on Your Computer

The latest version of FlexGUI supports the GD3100 and GD3160. It is designed to run on any Windows 10 or Windows 8 based operating system. To install the software, do the following:

Go to FlexGUI and click Download
When the FlexGUI software page appears, click Download and select the version associated with your PC operating system
FlexGUI wizard creates a shortcut, an NXP FlexGUI icon appears on the desktop. By default, the FlexGUI executable file is installed at C:\flexgui-app-des-gd31xx.exe. Installing the device drivers overwrites any previous FlexGUI installation and replaces it with a current version containing the GD31xx drivers. However, configuration files (.spi) from the previous version remain intact

Mark as complete:3.1 Installing FlexGUI on Your Computer

PreviousGet to Know the Hardware

NextConfigure Hardware

Configure Hardware

4.1 Configure Hardware

FRDMGD3160CSLEVM is connected to compatible CSL SiC MOSFET module with a DC link capacitor as shown in Figure 3. Double pulse and short-circuit testing can be conducted utilizing Windows based PC with FlexGUI software.

Suggested equipment needed for test:

Rogowski coil high-current probe
High-voltage differential voltage probe
High sample rate digital oscilloscope with probes
DC link capacitor compatible with CSL module
CSL SiC MOSFET module
Windows based PC
High-voltage DC power supply for DC link voltage
Low-voltage DC power supply for VSUP - +12 V DC gate drive board low-voltage domain
Voltmeter for monitoring high-voltage DC link supply
Load coil for double pulse and short-circuit testing