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 RDBESS774A3EVB evaluation board.

1.1 Kit Contents

The RDBESS774A3EVB contents include:

Assembled and tested evaluation board/module in antistatic bag
Three cell terminal cables
One transformer physical layer (TPL) cable

Mark as complete:1.1 Kit Contents

1.2 Additional Hardware

To use this kit, the following hardware is required:

A 4-cell to 18-cell battery pack or a battery-pack emulator, such as BATT-18CEMULATOR
A TPL communication system. If a user-specific system is not available, the evaluation setup or the 1500 V high-voltage battery energy storage system (HVBESS) reference design can be used.
- The 1500 V HVBESS reference design consists of the HVBESS battery management unit (RD- BESSK358BMU) and the 1500 V HVBESS battery junction box (RDBESS772BJBEVB). For the 1500 V HVBESS reference design, a graphical user interface (GUI) is available.
- The evaluation setup consists of the FRDM665SPIEVB(EVB for MC33665A) with the S32K3X4EVB-T172(S32K3X4 EVB)
- For the evaluation setup, EvalGUI 7 is available.

Mark as complete:1.2 Additional Hardware

NextGet Hardware

2. Get to Know the Hardware

2.1 Board Features

Reference design with three MC33774A, showing an optimized bill of materials (BOM) as outlined in the data sheet
Capacitive isolation for onboard communication
Based on NXP core layout for MC33774A; core layout is used for NXP internal electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and hotplug tests
Four-layer board, all components are assembled only on the top side
Cell electrostatic discharge (ESD) capacitors package 0805
0805 packages used for all signals with a voltage higher than approximately 25 V
Three 1206 surface mounted device (SMD) resistors per balancing channel for individual cell-voltage balancing
All eight external thermistor inputs are available
Onboard high-performance, high-precision absolute pressure sensor
Placeholder for I²C-bus EEPROM
Can be used together with the 1500 V HVBESS reference design or the evaluation setup

Mark as complete:2.1 Board Features

2.2 Board Description

The RDBESS774A3EVB is a hardware evaluation tool supporting the NXP MC33774A device. The RDBESS774A3EVB implements three MC33774A battery cell controller ICs. The MC33774A is a battery-cell controller that monitors up to 18 Li-ion battery cells. It is designed for use in both automotive and industrial applications. The device performs analog-to-digital conversions (ADC) on the differential cell voltages. It is also capable of temperature measurements and can forward communication via an I²C-bus to other devices. The RDBESS774A3EVB is an ideal platform for rapid prototyping of MC33774A-based applications that involve voltage and temperature sensing.

The RDBESS774A3EVB measures the pressure of the battery module using the onboard FXPS7250A4ST1 pressure sensor. The RDBESS774A3EVB converts the battery module voltage to 12 V using the TEA1721AT/ N1, 118 flyback controller, then converts the 12 V to 5 V to supply the pressure sensor.

The RDBESS774A3EVB uses inductive isolation for offboard communication. The galvanic isolation for onboard communication is established via capacitors.

The RDBESS774A3EVB is also used as part of the 1500 V high-voltage battery energy storage system (HVBESS) reference design consisting of the HVBESS battery management unit (BMU) and the 1500 V HVBESS battery junction box (BJB).

Figure 1. Board description

With the RDBESS774A3EVB, the user can explore all functions of the MC33774A battery-cell controller.

Mark as complete:2.2 Board Description

2.3 Minimum System Requirements

Working with the RDBESS774A3EVB requires the kit contents, additional hardware, and a Windows PC workstation with installed software.

Mark as complete:2.3 Minimum System Requirements

PreviousOut of the Box

NextConfigure Hardware

3. Configure the Hardware

3.1 Battery Emulator Connection

A minimum of four cells and a maximum of 18 cells can be monitored by one MC33774A. NXP provides an 18-cell battery emulator board, BATT-18EMULATOR. This board provides an intuitive way to change the voltage across any of the 18 cells of an emulated battery pack. The board RDBESS774A3EVB can be connected to an 18-cell battery emulator board using the connectors J1_1, J1_2 and J1_3, with the provided supply cable. See Figure 2.