Beginner
10 min

Ensure precise control and confirmation of actions within industrial settings with TL3215AF160BQ and PIC32MX470F512H

Simple and efficient tactile input detection

Button 2 Click with 6LoWPAN clicker

Published Jul 30, 2024

Click board™

Button 2 Click

Dev. board

6LoWPAN clicker

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC32MX470F512H

Simple and efficient tactile switch integration with clear visual feedback when the button is pressed, enhancing user interaction.

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

Button 2 Click is based on the TL3215AF160BQ, a member of the TL3215 series of tactile switches from E-Switch. This specific switch, denoted by its part number TL3215AF160BQ, features several key characteristics. The 'TL' in the part number indicates it belongs to the TL series, known for its high reliability and consistent performance. The '3215' model is a testament to its robust construction and design. It includes an actuator option ('A') with a 2mm actuator, ensuring precise and responsive operation. The 'F160' denotes an actuation force of 160gf, providing a balanced tactile feedback that is neither too hard nor too soft, thus preventing accidental presses while remaining user-friendly. The 'B' indicates the blue color of the switch, making it easily identifiable, while the 'Q' signifies the use of silver contact material, known for its excellent conductivity and durability. Regarding specifications, the TL3215AF160BQ has an impressive electrical rating of 50mA at 12VDC, and its electrical and mechanical life is rated at 1,000,000 cycles, ensuring longevity and reliability

in various applications. Initially, the contact resistance is a maximum of 100mΩ, while the insulation resistance stands at 100MΩ at 500VDC, highlighting its excellent electrical isolation properties. The switch also has a dielectric strength of 250VAC for 1 minute and operates efficiently in a temperature range of -40°C to 85°C. The contact arrangement is single-pole single-throw (SPST), providing straightforward switching functionality. Additionally, the integrated LED in this version operates at a forward current of 20mA with a typical forward voltage of 3V at 20mA. It delivers a typical luminous intensity of 100mcd, ensuring clear visibility of the switch's status. This Click board™ is designed in a unique format supporting the newly introduced MIKROE feature called "Click Snap." Unlike the standardized version of Click boards, this feature allows the main sensor area to become movable by breaking the PCB, opening up many new possibilities for implementation. Thanks to the Snap feature, the TL3215AF160BQ can operate autonomously by accessing its signals directly on

the pins marked 1-8. Additionally, the Snap part includes a specified and fixed screw hole position, enabling users to secure the Snap board in their desired location. Button 2 Click communicates with the host MCU using only two pins from the mikroBUS™ socket, ensuring a simple and efficient interface. The INT pin is dedicated to detecting button presses, providing an interrupt signal whenever the tactile switch is activated. The LED pin controls the blue LED on the TL3215AF160BQ, lighting up momentarily when the switch is pressed. This configuration allows for easy integration into various projects, enabling both input detection and visual feedback with minimal wiring and setup. This Click board™ can operate with either 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VCC SEL jumper. This way, both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs can use the communication lines properly. Also, this Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

Button 2 Click hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

6LoWPAN Clicker is a compact starter development board that brings the flexibility of add-on Click boards™ to your favorite microcontroller, making it a perfect starter kit for implementing your ideas. It comes with an onboard 32-bit PIC microcontroller, the PIC32MX470F512H from Microchip, a USB connector, LED indicators, buttons, a mikroProg connector, and a header for interfacing with external electronics. Along with this microcontroller, the board also contains a 2.4GHz ISM band transceiver, allowing you to add wireless communication to your target application. Its compact design provides a fluid and immersive working experience, allowing access anywhere

and under any circumstances. Each part of the 6LoWPAN Clicker development kit contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. In addition to the possibility of choosing the 6LoWPAN Clicker programming method, using USB HID mikroBootloader, or through an external mikroProg connector for PIC, dsPIC, or PIC32 programmer, the Clicker board also includes a clean and regulated power supply module for the development kit. The USB Micro-B connection can provide up to 500mA of current for the Clicker board, which is more than enough to operate all onboard and additional modules, or it can power

over two standard AA batteries. All communication methods that mikroBUS™ itself supports are on this board, including the well-established mikroBUS™ socket, reset button, and several buttons and LED indicators. 6LoWPAN Clicker is an integral part of the Mikroe ecosystem, allowing you to create a new application in minutes. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.

6LoWPAN clicker double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC32

MCU Memory (KB)

512

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

64

RAM (Bytes)

131072

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
NC
NC
RST
ID COMM
RE5
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Switch LED Control
RB8
PWM
Switch Press Detection
RD0
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

Button 2 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

PIC32MZ clicker front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the 6LoWPAN clicker as your development board.

PIC32MZ clicker front image hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Micro B Connector Clicker Access - upright/background hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
Necto image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Flip&Click PIC32MZ MCU step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output

1. Application Output - In Debug mode, the 'Application Output' window enables real-time data monitoring, offering direct insight into execution results. Ensure proper data display by configuring the environment correctly using the provided tutorial.

2. UART Terminal - Use the UART Terminal to monitor data transmission via a USB to UART converter, allowing direct communication between the Click board™ and your development system. Configure the baud rate and other serial settings according to your project's requirements to ensure proper functionality. For step-by-step setup instructions, refer to the provided tutorial.

3. Plot Output - The Plot feature offers a powerful way to visualize real-time sensor data, enabling trend analysis, debugging, and comparison of multiple data points. To set it up correctly, follow the provided tutorial, which includes a step-by-step example of using the Plot feature to display Click board™ readings. To use the Plot feature in your code, use the function: plot(*insert_graph_name*, variable_name);. This is a general format, and it is up to the user to replace 'insert_graph_name' with the actual graph name and 'variable_name' with the parameter to be displayed.

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for Button 2 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • button2_get_int_pin - This function returns the INT pin logic state.

  • button2_toggle_led - This function toggles the button LED state by toggling the LED pin logic state.

  • button2_enable_led - This function enables button LED by setting the LED pin to the high logic state.

Open Source

Code example

The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.

/*!
 * @file main.c
 * @brief Button 2 Click Example.
 *
 * # Description
 * This example demonstrates the use of Button 2 click board by toggling the button
 * LED and switch state on button press.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * Initializes the driver and logger.
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * Toggles the button LED and switch state on button press and displays the state
 * on the USB UART.
 *
 * @author Stefan Filipovic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "button2.h"

static button2_t button2;   /**< Button 2 Click driver object. */
static log_t logger;    /**< Logger object. */

void application_init ( void ) 
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    button2_cfg_t button2_cfg;  /**< Click config object. */

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, " Application Init " );

    // Click initialization.
    button2_cfg_setup( &button2_cfg );
    BUTTON2_MAP_MIKROBUS( button2_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    if ( DIGITAL_OUT_UNSUPPORTED_PIN == button2_init( &button2, &button2_cfg ) ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
    log_printf ( &logger, " Press button to change switch state\r\n\n" );
    log_printf ( &logger, " SWITCH OFF\r\n\n" );
}

void application_task ( void ) 
{
    static uint8_t switch_state = BUTTON2_SWITCH_OFF;
    
    if ( BUTTON2_BUTTON_PRESSED == button2_get_int_pin ( &button2 ) )
    {
        button2_toggle_led ( &button2 );
        switch_state ^= BUTTON2_SWITCH_ON;
        if ( BUTTON2_SWITCH_ON == switch_state )
        {
            log_printf ( &logger, " SWITCH ON\r\n\n" );
        }
        else
        {
            log_printf ( &logger, " SWITCH OFF\r\n\n" );
        }
        Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    }
}

int main ( void ) 
{
    /* Do not remove this line or clock might not be set correctly. */
    #ifdef PREINIT_SUPPORTED
    preinit();
    #endif
    
    application_init( );
    
    for ( ; ; ) 
    {
        application_task( );
    }

    return 0;
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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