MAX14918

The MAX14918 evaluation kit (EV kit) provides the hardware and software necessary to evaluate the MAX14918, SPI controlled quad low-side switches with reverse-current detection. The MAX14918 EV kit receives commands from a PC through the USB port and creates SPI transactions for communication between the software and the MAX14918 on the EV kit. The MAX14918 EV kit also has a Pmod™-compatible connector for SPI communication with an external host device such as an MCU or FPGA.

The MAX14918 EV kit includes a graphic user interface (GUI) that provides communication between the target device and the PC. The GUI allows individual control of each output channel and reading of each channel status through SPI.

The EV kit features galvanic isolation for both power and SPI and provides the option to power the MAX14918 from an isolated +5V generated from the USB supply. The EV kit also features reverse-current protection to prevent damage caused by miswiring faults at output and COM return terminals. The EV kit comes with two MAX14918ATG+ devices in the 4mm x 5mm 24-pin TQFN package, installed as U1 and U2.

The EV kit can operate in multiple modes, as shown in the MAX14918 EV Kit Block Diagram:

• USB Daisy-Chain Mode (Default Mode): U1 and U2 are connected in the SPI daisy-chain mode, and both devices receive SPI commands through the onboard USB-to-SPI interface from the Analog Devices-supplied EV kit software.
• USB Single-Device Mode (U1 Only): U1 is connected in the SPI independent mode. U2 is disconnected from the SPI and unpowered. U1 receives SPI commands through the onboard USB-to-SPI interface from the Analog Devices-supplied EV kit software.
• Pmod Mode: Both U1 and U2 SPI signals are disconnected from the onboard USB-to-SPI interface and are connected to the onboard Pmod connector. This industry standard connector interfaces with popular MCU or FPGA platforms. A user is required to generate firmware to provide the SPI commands.