System Menu

The System menu is used to initiate the serial commu-

nication connection between the MAX6876 EV kit board

and the evaluation software. It can also be used to

assert a software reset of the MAX6876 by selecting the

Reboot Target option. Other functions available from

the System menu include Commit Configuration to

EEPROM and Lock Configuration, both of which are

functionally equivalent to their corresponding controls

on the Advanced tab.

Evaluation software configuration values can also be

saved to disk for future reference. Opening a saved

configuration file restores the previously saved configu-

ration values to the registers of the connected

MAX6876 EV kit.

Colors Menu

The Colors menu selections and dialog boxes allow the

user to adjust evaluation software display colors to suit

individual preference. Be sure to choose contrasting

colors so that all display features remain visible.

Detailed Description

of Hardware

The MAX6876 (U1) is mounted on an evaluation board

that includes all necessary support components for a

typical application circuit. The user power-supply input

capacitor C13, and the internal supply voltage is

bypassed by 1µF capacitor C14.

The controlled IN_/OUT_ pairs are each bypassed with

10µF capacitors C1–C4. Additional surface-mount com-

ponent leads are included for larger bypass caps if

desired, such as C5–C8. The OUT_ voltages are simi-

larly provided with surface-mount lands for capacitors

C9–C12. Capacitors C5–C8 and C9–C12 are not

installed in the default configuration of the EV kit board,

and are not required in most applications.

Connector J10 mates with the Maxim CMOD232 mod-

ule, which enables communication with evaluation soft-

ware running on a PC. As a convenience, the CMOD232

module provides 5V DC power to the VLOGIC net

through pin 1 of J10 and JMP7. This voltage can be

used to power U1 by placing a shorting link in position

2–3 of JMP6.

User-provided power supplies at J1–J4 are controlled

as the IN1–IN4 voltages, and are sequenced or tracked

as OUT1–OUT4 at J5–J8. These jacks accept a stan-

dard 0.175in tip-jack (banana plug) connector. Ground

connections can be established at J9, J11, and at test

points TP21 and TP23.

The MAX6876 EV kit is designed with 0.050in traces of

1oz copper for the main power paths. Each IN_/OUT_

pair safely handles up to 5A. Proceed with caution if

higher current operation is required.

Light-emitting diodes CR1–CR4 indicate the status of

the PG_ signals. A green LED indicates that power is

good. The PG_ signals can be monitored at test points

TP17–TP20. Likewise, CR5 indicates the status of the

REM signal.

Jumper Function Tables

Tables 1 through 5 describe the EV kit configuration

jumper functions. For a detailed understanding of the

jumpers, see Figure 3, the MAX6876 EV kit schematic.

MAX6876 Evaluation Kit/Evaluation System

6

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JMP1 SHUNT

POSITION

FUNCTION

1-2

Adjust undervoltage-lockout threshold

using resistor-dividers R1 and R2

2-3

Normal operation; UVLO threshold is

1.285V

Table 1. Jumper JMP1, TRKEN

JMP3 SHUNT

POSITION

FUNCTION

1-2

MARGIN function enabled

Open

Normal operation;

MARGIN function

disabled, or under evaluation software

control through CMOD232 module

Table 3. Jumper JMP3, MARGIN

JMP2 SHUNT

POSITION

FUNCTION

1-2

Voltage tracking/sequencing enabled

2-3

Voltage tracking/sequencing disabled

Open

Evaluation software control of ENABLE

through CMOD232 module

Table 2. Jumper JMP2, ENABLE