Getting Started with the PCA9421UK-EVM Evaluation Board

Last Modified: Oct 23, 2023Supports PCA9421UK-EVM

Contents of this document

  • 1

    Out of the Box

  • 2

    Get Hardware

  • 3

    Configure Hardware

Purchase your PCA9421UK-EVM

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 PCA9421UK-EVM board.

1.1 Kit Contents and Packing List

The PCA9421UK-EVM kit contents include:

  • Assembled and tested PCA9421UK-EVM evaluation board in an antistatic bag
  • USB to MPSSE Serial cable for I2C communication
  • USB 2.0 cable
  • Spare jumpers

1.2 Static Handling Requirements

1.3 Minimum System Requirements

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

  • 5.0 V power supply or USB with enough current capability (1.5 A or above for maximum performance)
  • PCA9421 GUI installed on a Windows PC
  • Multimeters to measure regulator outputs
  • Oscilloscope (optional)
  • USB enabled computer running Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, or 10

NextGet Hardware

2. Get Hardware

2.1 Board Features

  • Two step-down DC-DC converters
  • Very low quiescent current
  • Programmable output voltage
  • SW1: core buck converter, 0.5 V to 1.5 V output, 25 mV/step, and a fixed 1.8 V, up to 250 mA
  • SW2: system buck converter, 1.5 V to 2.1 V/2.7 V to 3.3 V output, 25 mV/step, up to 500 mA
  • Low-power mode for extra power saving
  • Two LDOs
  • Programmable output voltage regulation
  • LDO1: always-on LDO, 1.70 V to 1.90 V output, 25 mV/step, up to 1.0 mA
  • LDO2: system LDO, 1.5 V to 2.1 V/2.7 V to 3.3 V output, 25 mV/step, up to 250 mA
  • 1 MHz I2C-bus target interface
  • -40 °C to +85 °C ambient temperature range
  • Offered in 5 x 5 bump-array WLCSP and 24-pin QFN package

2.2 Board Description

This evaluation board features the PCA9421 power management IC. The kit integrates all hardware needed to fully evaluate the PMIC. It integrates a communication bridge based on FTDI to interface with the PCA9421 GUI software interface to fully configure and control the PMIC.

2.3 Board Components

Overview of the PCA9421UK-EVM board

Figure 1. PCA9421UK-EVM evaluation board, top view.

Table 1. PCA9421UK-EVM board description.

Number Name Description
1 USB Input USB power supply for the PCA9421UK
2 Logic pin for MODESEL1&2 Logic high or low for MODESEL1&2 pins
3 System Node Electronic load for system
4 U1 PCA9421UK PMIC
5 VBAT_BKUP Coin cell battery for back-up purpose
6 VIN_AUX Connect external auxiliary voltage
7 SW2_OUT BUCK2 output
8 SW1_OUT BUCK1 output
9 LDO2_OUT LDO2 output
10 LDO1_OUT LDO1 output
11 INT-PU Interrupt pull up to either LDO2 output or an external LDO output
12 PMIC-OUT All regulators’ output voltages
13 SW1 Button connected to ON pin
14 I2C-PU Logic voltage selection for I2C
15 MODE-PU Logic voltage selection for MODESEL0&1 function
16 FTDI-CTRL I2C interface
17 VREG_IN Input selection for an external LDO between VIN_AUX and USB input

PreviousOut of the Box
NextConfigure Hardware

3. Configure Hardware

Figure 2. PCA9421UK-EVM connection

Connect wires on the following pins as shown in Figure 2, and make sure the power supply is turned off during the wiring stage:

  • VIN Input – Powered by USB Micro B connector
  • FTDI Connector – Connect to FTDI USB to I2C cable (Yellow/Green to SDA, Orange to SCL, and Black to GND)

3.1 Installing and Configuring Software Tools

  • Unzip the provided PCA9421 Evaluation Kit GUI file into the selected folder. No need to install. If a password is asked during unzip, type “NXP”
  • Install the FTDI cable driver from website https://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/D2XX.htm.
  • Run the file PCA9421.exe. The interface is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3. GUI overview.

When the GUI is launched, it looks for a PCA9421UK-EVM target board connected via the USB cable. If connected, the GUI panels display “Connected” on the bottom right.

PreviousGet Hardware
NextDesign Resources

Design Resources

Board Information

Additional References

In addition to our PCA9421, PMIC for Low Power Applications page, you may also want to visit:

PreviousConfigure Hardware