RoadTest: SIMPLE SWITCHER® Nano Module Evaluation Board
Author: Former Member
Creation date:
Evaluation Type: Evaluation Boards
Did you receive all parts the manufacturer stated would be included in the package?: True
What other parts do you consider comparable to this product?: Regular voltage regulator such as lm7805.
What were the biggest problems encountered?: null
Detailed Review:
Here is a review of a LT product : The LMZ20501EVM
What is it ?
This object is a voltage regulator .Basically with an input voltage between 2.375V to 5.5V, you have a constant 1.8V output . The max output current is 1A.
What does it look like ?
Let's see what's in the box element14 sent. The product was protected in a very satisfying way : protected from physical and electrostatic damages !
What a huge box for such a little thing.
Now, the card itself ! This one is very good looking and at the first look, you know how to use it ! one one side, 3 connectors and they're easy to understand : Vin , GND and Vout.
How does it work ?
What a Beauty !
There are two ways to use it : the easy one and the advanced one !
First, the easy one, you simply solder three wire on Vin, Vout and GND (or just find an other way to connect it). Just move the jumper so you can select enable.It work out of the box ! So right now, you have your 1.80 V voltage regulator. And even with a small resistive load (I tested with 3 ohms, so 0.6A), the output voltage is stable. According to the datasheet, with 1A output current, the voltage only drops by 0.2%.
Then, the complex one .
One I couldn't try because of a lack of PWM (Pulse width modulation) generator. Just like any buck DC-DC converter, you can use with a PWM signal. The value of the PWM will set your output. Lower is the PWM, lower is the output.
NB : you can also use a PFM (Pulse frequency modulation) signal. You just have to change a jumper.
Just testing the stuff. As you can read, 1.81 V output voltage and 0.05A (50mA) current
Extra uses
For the moment, we only talk about the on side of the card. Why not looking at both ? On the other side, there are several pins dedicated to measurements . You can measure Vin, Vout and also the temperature of the card.
If for some reasons, you want an other voltage output. If you know how a buck converter works, you can change some SMD component (if you know how to do it).
Kind of projects
1.8 V ! What a strange voltage ! Regular voltage are 5V, 3.3V, etc... I think of two kind of use :
-You need in your circuit a very precise voltage that will be reference.
-You need a very small voltage in order to save power and you designed your all circuit with 1.8V.
-You're working on a project that needs a battery, you don't have a lab voltage generator. Then use it instead of wasting batteries (or to recharge it).
Conclusion
Pros :
I'd say this product is a very good one ! Good-looking, and efficient. A lot of ways to use it.
Cons :
The output of 1.8 V is very low (so it's very specific to some project). But if it's what you need, then it's a good choice
