Evaluation Boards - Expansion Boards, Daughter Cards

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
MIKROE-2545 MikroElektronika	RN4678 CLICK	16
MIKROE-1363 MikroElektronika	BOARD CLICK BOOSTER PACK	2
MIKROE-4355 MikroElektronika	VIBRA SENSE 2 CLICK	3
MIKROE-4169 MikroElektronika	DOT MATRIX R CLICK	5
MIKROE-1633 MikroElektronika	POCKET RADIO CLICK PACK	0
MIKROE-2814 MikroElektronika	SOLAR ENERGY CLICK	48
MIKROE-2100 MikroElektronika	RIVERDI CLICK	4
MIKROE-1817 MikroElektronika	BAROMETER CLICK	5
MIKROE-4057 MikroElektronika	MONARCH ADAPTER CLICK	4
MIKROE-2516 MikroElektronika	POLLUTION CLICK	0
MIKROE-4298 MikroElektronika	DTMF GENERATOR CLICK	6
MIKROE-2704 MikroElektronika	GPS 4 CLICK	3
MIKROE-2821 MikroElektronika	RS485 3 CLICK	31
MIKROE-4297 MikroElektronika	PH CLICK	3
MIKROE-4157 MikroElektronika	STEPPER 8 CLICK TC78H670FTG	26
MIKROE-3344 MikroElektronika	AUDIOMUX CLICK	5
MIKROE-2063 MikroElektronika	RTC 6 CLICK	43
MIKROE-3469 MikroElektronika	TEMP&HUM 11 CLICK	5
MIKROE-4116 MikroElektronika	POWERBANK 2 CLICK	5
MIKROE-2972 MikroElektronika	SPECTRAL CLICK	8

Evaluation Boards - Expansion Boards, Daughter Cards

1. Overview

Evaluation Boards (EVBs), Expansion Boards, and Daughter Cards are essential hardware tools for embedded system development, prototyping, and testing. These platforms enable engineers to assess processor capabilities, interface peripherals, and validate designs before mass production. Their modular architecture supports rapid innovation in IoT, automotive, industrial automation, and consumer electronics sectors.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Microcontroller EVBs	ARM/FPGA SoC integration, onboard sensors, debug interfaces	IoT edge devices, smart sensors
Expansion Boards	Standard interfaces (PCIe, USB-C), protocol converters	Industrial gateways, communication modules
Daughter Cards	Specialized functionality modules (ADC/DAC, RF transceivers)	Medical imaging equipment, test instruments
Programmer Kits	Flash programming, JTAG/SWD debugging, voltage monitoring	Automotive ECUs, aerospace controllers

3. Structure and Components

Typical architecture includes:

Multi-layer PCB with high-speed traces
Processor sockets or soldered-down SoCs
Standardized connectors (2.54mm headers, M.2)
Onboard memory (RAM, Flash storage)
Power management ICs and voltage regulators
Debug interfaces (SWD, JTAG, UART)

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description
Clock Speed	Determines processing capability (1MHz-2GHz range)
Bus Width	Memory bandwidth (8/16/32-bit configurations)
Interface Support	USB 3.0, Ethernet, CAN, SPI/I2C compatibility
Power Consumption	Typical range: 0.5W-25W (varies with workload)
Operating Temperature	Industrial (-40 C to +85 C) or commercial grade

5. Application Areas

Major industries include:

Telecommunications (5G base stations, optical transceivers)
Medical equipment (MRI scanners, patient monitors)
Industrial automation (PLC controllers, robotics)
Consumer electronics (smart home devices, wearables)
Automotive (ADAS systems, V2X communication)

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Vendor	Product Series
Xilinx	Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC Evaluation Kit
Intel	Stratix 10 GX FPGA Development Board
STMicroelectronics	STM32 Nucleo Expansion Boards
Texas Instruments	Processor DKx Daughter Cards

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Match SoC architecture to target application requirements
Verify interface compatibility with existing systems
Evaluate available ecosystem (IDE support, middleware)
Consider power budget and thermal management needs
Assess long-term availability and RoHS compliance

8. Industry Trends

Future developments include:

Integration of AI accelerators (NPU modules)
Adoption of 5nm/3nm process technologies
Expansion of RISC-V based evaluation platforms
Increased focus on functional safety (ISO 26262 compliance)
Growing adoption of modular "Lego-style" prototyping systems