Getting Started with the PF9453 QFN Evaluation Board

Last Modified: May 18, 2025Supports PF9453AHN-EVB

Contents of this document

  • 1

    Out of the Box

  • 2

    Get Hardware

  • 3

    Configure Hardware

Purchase your PF9453AHN-EVB

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 PF9453 QFN evaluation board.

1.1 Kit Contents and Packing List

The kit contents include:

  • Assembled and tested the evaluation board in an antistatic bag
  • Quick Start Guide

1.2 Additional Hardware

In addition to the kit contents, the following hardware is necessary or beneficial when working with this board.

  • Power supply with a range of 2.7 V to 5.0 V and a current limit set initially to 1.0 A (maximum power consumption at default voltages can be up to 22 W)
  • Oscilloscope/multimeter
  • Electronic load (optional) - each power rail output can be connected to electronic load for testing

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:

  • USB-enabled computer with Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10

1.4 Software

Installing software is necessary to work with this evaluation board. All listed software is available on the PF9453 QFN Evaluation Board information page or from the provided link.

  • Go to PF9453 EVB graphical user interface
  • Extract the Evaluation Kit GUI zip file, PF9453_EVB_GUI_1.25.2.21-x64, into the selected folder. No need to install. (If the password is requested to unzip, type “NXP”)
  • Install the FTDI D2XX direct drivers from the FTDI Chip  page
  • Run the file PF9453.exe. The interface window is shown in Figure 1

Figure 1. Interface Window

Figure 1. Interface Window

NextGet Hardware

2. Get Hardware

2.1 Board Features

  • Four BUCK regulators:
    • One 2.7 A BUCK regulator with DVS
    • Two 2 A BUCK regulators
    • One 2.5 BUCK regulator
    • Three linear regulators:
      • One 10 mA LDO
      • One 250 mA LDO
      • One 200 mA LDO
    • 400 mA load switch with a built-in active discharge resistor
    • 32.768 kHz crystal oscillator driver and buffer output
    • System features:
      • 2.7 V to 5.5 V operating input voltage range
      • Power ON/OFF control
      • Standby/Deep Standby/Run mode control
      • Interrupt configuration
      • Fm+ 1 MHz I²C interface (via FTDI USB to I²C IC)

2.2 Board Description

Overview of the PF9453 board.

Figure 2. Evaluation Board Default Jumper Configuration

Figure 2. Evaluation Board Default Jumper Configuration

Table 1. Evaluation board jumper descriptions

Name Default Description
J1 CLOSED Connects BUCK1_OUT voltage to ADC0 channel
J2 1 to 2 Select source voltage for VSYS and PSYS (PMIC input voltage):
  • 1 to 2 → PMIC input voltage comes from the USB-Type C connector
  • 2 to 3 → PMIC input voltage comes from external connector (J45) or test points (TP1 and TP3)
J3 CLOSED Connects BUCK2_OUT voltage to ADC1 channel
J4 CLOSED Connects LDO1_OUT voltage to ADC4 channel
J5 CLOSED Connects BUCK3_OUT voltage to ADC2 channel
J6 CLOSED Connects LDO_SNVS voltage to ADC5 channel
J7 CLOSED Connects BUCK4_OUT voltage to ADC3 channel
J8 CLOSED Connects PSYS voltage to ADC6 channel
J9 2 to 3 Select source voltage for VIO (Voltage for input and output signals):
  • 1 to 2 → VIO source voltage is LDO_SNVS
  • 2 to 3 → VIO source voltage is an external LDO (U2)
J10 1 to 2 Select output voltage of the external LDO (U2):
  • 1 to 2 → External LDO output voltage = 1.8 V
  • 2 to 3 → External LDO output voltage = 3.3 V
J11 1 to 2 Select if SCL_PMIC signal (PMIC I²C signal) passes through the level shifter (U3) or not:
  • 1 to 2 → SCL_PMIC signal passes through level shifter (U3)
  • 2 to 3 → SCL_PMIC signal does not passes through level shifter (U3)
J12 1 to 2 Select if SDA_PMIC signal (PMIC I²C signal) passes through the level shifter (U3) or not:
  • 1 to 2 → SDA_PMIC signal passes through level shifter (U3)
  • 2 to 3 → SDA_PMIC signal does not passes through level shifter (U3)
J14 2 to 3 Select PMIC_ON_REQ level:
  • 1 to 2 → PMIC_ON_REQ = High (start power-up sequence)
  • 2 to 3 → PMIC_ON_REQ = Low (start power-down sequence)
J15 2 to 3 Select SD_VSEL level:
  • 1 to 2 → SD_VSEL = High (LDO5 = 1.8 V default output)
  • 2 to 3 → SD_VSEL = Low (LDO5 = 3.3 V default output)
J17 CLOSED Connects the green LED driver (U8) to PSYS voltage
J19 2 to 3 Select PMIC_STBY_REQ level:
  • 1 to 2 → PMIC_STBY_REQ = High
  • 2 to 3 → PMIC_STBY_REQ = Low
J20 2 to 3 Select LSW_EN level:
  • 1 to 2 → LSW_EN = High (load-switch ON)
  • 2 to 3 → LSW_EN = Low (load-switch OFF)
J21 1 to 2 Select load-switch input voltage:
  • 1 to 2 → Load switch input voltage = BUCK4
  • 2 to 3 → Load switch input voltage = PSYS
J27 CLOSED Connects the external LDO (U2) to PSYS voltage
J56 1 to 2 Select an SCL connection:
  • 1 to 2 → SCL connected to the FTDI IC
  • 2 to 3 → SLC connected to J53 Arduino connector
J57 1 to 2 Select an SDA connection:
  • 1 to 2 → SDA connected to the FTDI IC
  • 2 to 3 → SDA connected to J53 Arduino connector
J58 2 to 3 Select if PMIC_ON_REQ connection:
  • 1 to 2 → PMIC_ON_REQ connected to the FTDI IC
  • 2 to 3 → PMIC_ON_REQ connected to J55 Arduino connector
J59 2 to 3 Select if PMIC_STBY_REQ connection:
  • 1 to 2 → PMIC_STBY_REQ connected to the FTDI IC
  • 2 to 3 → PMIC_STBY_REQ connected to J55 Arduino connector
J60 2 to 3 Select if WDOG_B connection:
  • 1 to 2 → WDOG_B connected to the FTDI IC
  • 2 to 3 → WDOG_B connected to J55 Arduino connector
J61 2 to 3 Select if IRQ_B connection:
  • 1 to 2 → IRQ _B connected to the FTDI IC
  • 2 to 3 → IRQ _B connected to J55 Arduino connector
J62 2 to 3 Select if POR_B connection:
  • 1 to 2 → POR _B connected to the FTDI IC
  • 2 to 3 → POR _B connected to J55 Arduino connector
J63 2 to 3 Select if LSW_EN connection:
  • 1 to 2 → LSW_EN connected to the FTDI IC
  • 2 to 3 → LSW_EN connected to J55 Arduino connector
J70 2 to 3 Select if SD_VSEL connection:
  • 1 to 2 → SD_VSEL connected to the FTDI IC
  • 2 to 3 → SD_VSEL connected to J55 Arduino connector
J71 CLOSED Connects PMIC_RET_B to the reset button (SW3)
J72 2 to 3 Select WDOG_B (watchdog reset input) signal:
  • 1 to 2 →WDOG_B = High (normal operation)
  • 2 to 3 → WDOG_B = Low (pull-down to GND and start a WDOG_B function that can be configure by I²C in the WDOG_B registers)
J73 OPEN Jumper for internal validation only
J74 2 to 3 Select if PMIC_RST_B connection:
  • 1 to 2 → PMIC_RST_B connected to the FTDI IC
  • 2 to 3 → PMIC_RST_B connected to J53 Arduino connector
J75 CLOSED Connects LDO1 input voltage (INL1) to PSYS
J76 CLOSED Connects LDO2 input voltage (INL2) to PSYS

PreviousOut of the Box
NextConfigure Hardware

3. Configure Hardware

3.1 Configure Hardware

Figure 3 presents a typical hardware configuration incorporating the development board, power supply and Windows PC workstation.

Figure 3. Evaluation Board Featured

Figure 3. Evaluation Board Featured
  1. PF9453 PMIC (QFN package)
  2. USB-Type C connector
  3. VPWR and GND input power connectors
  4. LDO1, LDO2, BUCK3 and BUCK4 sensing test points
  5. BUCK3 and BUCK4 power test points
  6. Digital signals jumper selectors
  7. ADC jumpers
  8. BUCK1, BUCK2 and LDO_SNVS sensing test points
  9. LDO1, LDO2, LDO_SNVS, BUCK2 and BUCK1 power tests points
  10. I²C headers and tests points
  11. FTDI (I²C to USB IC)

Refer to Figure 3 and follow the next steps to test the PF9453 QFN – EVB. Make sure that all jumpers are in the default positions before starting. (See section Section 2.2) and no other cables are connected to the PF9453 QFN – EVB:

  1. Connect the positive terminal of the multimeter to TP22 (BUCK2_OUT) test point and the negative terminal of the multimeter to TP30 GND test point, see Figure 3 where step 1 is represented with the circle with number 1
  2. Connect the USB-Type C to the PF9453 QFN –EVB. See that the green LED D4 is ON, refer, circle with Figure 3 number 2. Note: With this configuration, we are using the USB-Type C connector as the power supply. Consider not connecting loads that may demand more power than the USB-Type C supply can deliver. If tests that could demand more current that the USB-Type C power supply allows must be done, that is, efficiency tests, it is recommended to use an external power supply. For more details about how to set up, see below: Using an external power supply. If the USB-Type C power supply is enough, continue with the next step/li>
  3. Move the J14 to position J14 (1 to 2), refer to Figure 3, circle with number 3 (this turns on the PMIC by setting the high state the PMIC_ON_REQ pin)
  4. Measure the default voltage of BUCK2 in the multimeter, must be 0.85 V (default voltage)

Figure 4. Using an External Power Supply

Figure 4. Using an External Power Supply

Follow the next steps to start testing the PF9453 QFN – EVB with an external power supply. Before starting make sure that all jumpers are in the default position. (See section Section 2.2) and no other cables are connected to the PF9453 QFN – EVB:

  1. Move the J2 jumper to position J2 (2 to 3). Input PMIC voltage from an external power supply, see Figure 4. Step 1 is represented with the circle with number 1
  2. Connect the external power supply to the J45 connector: positive terminal to J45 (pin 2), negative terminal J45(pin 1) see Figure 4, circle with number 2. The external power supply can also be connected to the following tests points: positive terminal to TP1 (VPWR) and negative terminal to TP3 (GND)
  3. Connect the USB-Type C to the PF9453-EVB, see Figure 4, circle with number 3
  4. Connect the positive terminal of the multimeter to TP22 (BUCK2_OUT) test point and the negative terminal of the multimeter to TP30 (GND) test point. See Figure 5, circle with number
  5. Configure the power supply to 5.0 V, 1 A, and turn it on. See that the green LED D4 is ON, see the Figure 4, circle with number 5
  6. Move the J14 Jumper to position J14 (1 to 2), see Figure 4, circle with number 6. (This turns on the PMIC by setting the high state the PMIC_ON_REQ pin)
  7. Measure the default voltage of BUCK2 in the multimeter, you see 0.85 V (default voltage)

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NextDesign Resources

Design Resources

Board Information

Additional References

In addition to our PF9453 product page, you may also want to visit:

PreviousConfigure Hardware