Intermediate
30 min

Experience seamless buck-boost power control with MIC7401 and MK64FN1M0VDC12

Master the art of voltage regulation

Buck & Boost Click with Clicker 2 for Kinetis

Published Aug 03, 2023

Click board™

Buck & Boost Click

Dev. board

Clicker 2 for Kinetis

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

MK64FN1M0VDC12

Achieve exceptional load regulation, ensuring stable output voltage under varying load conditions for precision-driven applications

A

A

Hardware Overview

How does it work?

Buck & Boost Click is based on the MIC7401, a powerful highly-integrated configurable power management (PMIC) featuring buck and boost regulators and a high-speed I2C interface with an internal EEPROM memory and micro-power shutdown function from Microchip. This Click board™ has five 3A synchronous buck regulators with high-speed adaptive on-time control and one boost regulator that provides a flash-memory programming supply that delivers up to 200mA of output current. The boost has an output disconnect switch that opens if a short-to-ground fault is detected. The MIC7401 offers two distinct modes of operation, Standby, and Normal mode, intended to provide an energy-optimized solution suitable for portable handheld and infotainment applications. In Normal mode, the programmable switching converters can be configured to support

a variety of Start-up sequencing, timing, soft-start ramp, output voltage levels, current limit levels, and output discharge for each channel. In Standby mode, this PMIC can be configured in a low-power state by turning off the output or changing the output voltage to a lower level. Independent exit from Standby mode can be achieved by I2C communication or the STB pin of the mikroBUS™ socket. Buck & Boost Click communicates with MCU using the standard I2C 2-Wire interface with a frequency of up to 100kHz in the Standard, up to 400 kHz in the Fast, and up to 3.4MHz in the High-Speed mode. This Click board™ also contains additional functionalities routed to the CS, AN, PWM, and INT pins on the mikroBUS™ socket. CS pin labeled EN represents an enable pin that shuts down the device for additional power savings. The PWM pin labeled as STB represents the Standby

Reset function that reduces the total power consumption by either lowering a supply voltage or turning it off. In addition to these functions, this Click board™ has Power-On Reset that goes high after the POR delay time elapses, as well as Global Power-Good output that is pulled high when all the regulator's power-good flags are high. This Click board™ is designed to be operated with 5V logic voltage level from mikroBUS™ or a voltage from an external input terminal in the range from 2.4 to 5.5V that can be selected via the VIN SEL jumper. In this way, using a logic voltage level from a mikroBUS™ socket or an external voltage supply allows both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs to use the I2C communication lines properly.

Buck & Boost Click hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

Clicker 2 for Kinetis 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 ARM Cortex-M4F microcontroller, the MK64FN1M0VDC12 from NXP Semiconductors, two mikroBUS™ sockets for Click board™ connectivity, a USB connector, LED indicators, buttons, a JTAG programmer connector, and two 26-pin headers for interfacing with external electronics. Its compact design with clear and easily recognizable silkscreen markings allows you to build gadgets with unique functionalities and

features quickly. Each part of the Clicker 2 for Kinetis development kit contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. In addition to the possibility of choosing the Clicker 2 for Kinetis programming method, using a USB HID mikroBootloader or an external mikroProg connector for Kinetis programmer, the Clicker 2 board also includes a clean and regulated power supply module for the development kit. It provides two ways of board-powering; through the USB Micro-B cable, where onboard voltage regulators provide the appropriate voltage levels to each component on the board, or

using a Li-Polymer battery via an onboard battery connector. All communication methods that mikroBUS™ itself supports are on this board, including the well-established mikroBUS™ socket, reset button, and several user-configurable buttons and LED indicators. Clicker 2 for Kinetis 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.

Clicker 2 for Kinetis dimensions image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

ARM Cortex-M4

MCU Memory (KB)

1024

Silicon Vendor

NXP

Pin count

121

RAM (Bytes)

262144

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
Power-ON Reset
PB11
RST
Enable
PC4
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
NC
NC
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Standby Mode
PA10
PWM
Power Good Indicator
PB13
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
I2C Clock
PD8
SCL
I2C Data
PD9
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

Buck & Boost Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Clicker 2 for PIC32MZ front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Clicker 2 for Kinetis as your development board.

Clicker 2 for PIC32MZ 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 2 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 Buck & Boost Click driver.

Key functions:

  • bucknboost_set_buck_out_voltage - This function sets the output voltage of a desired buck channel

  • bucknboost_set_boost_out_voltage - This function sets the output voltage of the boost channel (CH6)

  • bucknboost_get_status - This function reads Power Good, EEPROM, and Overcurrent status registers

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 BucknBoost Click example
 *
 * # Description
 * This application demonstrates the use of Buck n Boost click board.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * Initializes the driver and sets the click default configuration.
 * The default config enables the click board and limits the current of all outputs to 1100mA.
 * It also sets the default voltages of all channels which are the following:
 * OUT1 - 1.8V, OUT2 - 1.1V, OUT3 - 1.8V, OUT4 - 1.05V, OUT5 - 1.25V, OUT6 - 12V 
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * Iterates through the entire range of Buck voltages for Buck 1 output starting from the maximal output.
 * It also checks the Power Good and Overcurrent status.
 * All data is being displayed on the USB UART where you can track the program flow.
 *
 * @author Stefan Filipovic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "bucknboost.h"

static bucknboost_t bucknboost;
static log_t logger;


void application_init ( void ) 
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    bucknboost_cfg_t bucknboost_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.

    bucknboost_cfg_setup( &bucknboost_cfg );
    BUCKNBOOST_MAP_MIKROBUS( bucknboost_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    
    err_t init_flag = bucknboost_init( &bucknboost, &bucknboost_cfg );
    if ( init_flag == I2C_MASTER_ERROR ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Application Init Error. " );
        log_info( &logger, " Please, run program again... " );

        for ( ; ; );
    }

    init_flag = bucknboost_default_cfg ( &bucknboost );
    if ( init_flag == BUCKNBOOST_ERROR ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Default Config Error. " );
        log_info( &logger, " Please, run program again... " );

        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
}

void application_task ( void ) 
{
    bucknboost_status_t status_data;
    
    for ( uint8_t cnt = BUCKNBOOST_BUCK_OUTPUT_VOLTAGE_3300mV; 
          cnt <= BUCKNBOOST_BUCK_OUTPUT_VOLTAGE_800mV; cnt++ )
    {
        err_t error_check = bucknboost_set_buck_out_voltage( &bucknboost, 
                                                             BUCKNBOOST_OUTPUT_CH_1, 
                                                             cnt );
        if ( error_check == BUCKNBOOST_ERROR )
        {
            log_error( &logger, " Setting Buck 1 Output Voltage." );
            Delay_ms ( 1000 );
            Delay_ms ( 1000 );
            Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        }
        else
        {
            log_printf( &logger, " Buck 1 Output Voltage set to %u mV.\r\n", 3300 - cnt * 50 );
            
            bucknboost_get_status( &bucknboost, &status_data );
            log_printf( &logger, " Power Good status -" );
            if ( status_data.power_good == BUCKNBOOST_PGOOD_ALL_MASK )
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " Valid!\r\n" );
            }
            else
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " Not Valid! - Mask: 0x%.2X\r\n", ( uint16_t ) status_data.power_good );
            }
            
            log_printf( &logger, " Overcurrent status -" );
            if ( status_data.power_good == BUCKNBOOST_PGOOD_ALL_MASK )
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " No Fault!\r\n" );
            }
            else
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " Fault! - Mask: 0x%.2X\r\n", ( uint16_t ) status_data.overcurrent_fault );
            }
            log_printf( &logger, "-----------------------------------\r\n" );
        }
        Delay_ms ( 1000 ); 
        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
/*!
 * @file main.c
 * @brief BucknBoost Click example
 *
 * # Description
 * This application demonstrates the use of Buck n Boost click board.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * Initializes the driver and sets the click default configuration.
 * The default config enables the click board and limits the current of all outputs to 1100mA.
 * It also sets the default voltages of all channels which are the following:
 * OUT1 - 1.8V, OUT2 - 1.1V, OUT3 - 1.8V, OUT4 - 1.05V, OUT5 - 1.25V, OUT6 - 12V 
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * Iterates through the entire range of Buck voltages for Buck 1 output starting from the maximal output.
 * It also checks the Power Good and Overcurrent status.
 * All data is being displayed on the USB UART where you can track the program flow.
 *
 * @author Stefan Filipovic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "bucknboost.h"

static bucknboost_t bucknboost;
static log_t logger;


void application_init ( void ) 
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    bucknboost_cfg_t bucknboost_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.

    bucknboost_cfg_setup( &bucknboost_cfg );
    BUCKNBOOST_MAP_MIKROBUS( bucknboost_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    
    err_t init_flag = bucknboost_init( &bucknboost, &bucknboost_cfg );
    if ( init_flag == I2C_MASTER_ERROR ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Application Init Error. " );
        log_info( &logger, " Please, run program again... " );

        for ( ; ; );
    }

    init_flag = bucknboost_default_cfg ( &bucknboost );
    if ( init_flag == BUCKNBOOST_ERROR ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Default Config Error. " );
        log_info( &logger, " Please, run program again... " );

        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
}

void application_task ( void ) 
{
    bucknboost_status_t status_data;
    
    for ( uint8_t cnt = BUCKNBOOST_BUCK_OUTPUT_VOLTAGE_3300mV; 
          cnt <= BUCKNBOOST_BUCK_OUTPUT_VOLTAGE_800mV; cnt++ )
    {
        err_t error_check = bucknboost_set_buck_out_voltage( &bucknboost, 
                                                             BUCKNBOOST_OUTPUT_CH_1, 
                                                             cnt );
        if ( error_check == BUCKNBOOST_ERROR )
        {
            log_error( &logger, " Setting Buck 1 Output Voltage." );
            Delay_ms ( 1000 );
            Delay_ms ( 1000 );
            Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        }
        else
        {
            log_printf( &logger, " Buck 1 Output Voltage set to %u mV.\r\n", 3300 - cnt * 50 );
            
            bucknboost_get_status( &bucknboost, &status_data );
            log_printf( &logger, " Power Good status -" );
            if ( status_data.power_good == BUCKNBOOST_PGOOD_ALL_MASK )
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " Valid!\r\n" );
            }
            else
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " Not Valid! - Mask: 0x%.2X\r\n", ( uint16_t ) status_data.power_good );
            }
            
            log_printf( &logger, " Overcurrent status -" );
            if ( status_data.power_good == BUCKNBOOST_PGOOD_ALL_MASK )
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " No Fault!\r\n" );
            }
            else
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " Fault! - Mask: 0x%.2X\r\n", ( uint16_t ) status_data.overcurrent_fault );
            }
            log_printf( &logger, "-----------------------------------\r\n" );
        }
        Delay_ms ( 1000 ); 
        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
/*!
 * @file main.c
 * @brief BucknBoost Click example
 *
 * # Description
 * This application demonstrates the use of Buck n Boost click board.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * Initializes the driver and sets the click default configuration.
 * The default config enables the click board and limits the current of all outputs to 1100mA.
 * It also sets the default voltages of all channels which are the following:
 * OUT1 - 1.8V, OUT2 - 1.1V, OUT3 - 1.8V, OUT4 - 1.05V, OUT5 - 1.25V, OUT6 - 12V 
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * Iterates through the entire range of Buck voltages for Buck 1 output starting from the maximal output.
 * It also checks the Power Good and Overcurrent status.
 * All data is being displayed on the USB UART where you can track the program flow.
 *
 * @author Stefan Filipovic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "bucknboost.h"

static bucknboost_t bucknboost;
static log_t logger;


void application_init ( void ) 
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    bucknboost_cfg_t bucknboost_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.

    bucknboost_cfg_setup( &bucknboost_cfg );
    BUCKNBOOST_MAP_MIKROBUS( bucknboost_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    
    err_t init_flag = bucknboost_init( &bucknboost, &bucknboost_cfg );
    if ( init_flag == I2C_MASTER_ERROR ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Application Init Error. " );
        log_info( &logger, " Please, run program again... " );

        for ( ; ; );
    }

    init_flag = bucknboost_default_cfg ( &bucknboost );
    if ( init_flag == BUCKNBOOST_ERROR ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Default Config Error. " );
        log_info( &logger, " Please, run program again... " );

        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
}

void application_task ( void ) 
{
    bucknboost_status_t status_data;
    
    for ( uint8_t cnt = BUCKNBOOST_BUCK_OUTPUT_VOLTAGE_3300mV; 
          cnt <= BUCKNBOOST_BUCK_OUTPUT_VOLTAGE_800mV; cnt++ )
    {
        err_t error_check = bucknboost_set_buck_out_voltage( &bucknboost, 
                                                             BUCKNBOOST_OUTPUT_CH_1, 
                                                             cnt );
        if ( error_check == BUCKNBOOST_ERROR )
        {
            log_error( &logger, " Setting Buck 1 Output Voltage." );
            Delay_ms ( 1000 );
            Delay_ms ( 1000 );
            Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        }
        else
        {
            log_printf( &logger, " Buck 1 Output Voltage set to %u mV.\r\n", 3300 - cnt * 50 );
            
            bucknboost_get_status( &bucknboost, &status_data );
            log_printf( &logger, " Power Good status -" );
            if ( status_data.power_good == BUCKNBOOST_PGOOD_ALL_MASK )
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " Valid!\r\n" );
            }
            else
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " Not Valid! - Mask: 0x%.2X\r\n", ( uint16_t ) status_data.power_good );
            }
            
            log_printf( &logger, " Overcurrent status -" );
            if ( status_data.power_good == BUCKNBOOST_PGOOD_ALL_MASK )
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " No Fault!\r\n" );
            }
            else
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " Fault! - Mask: 0x%.2X\r\n", ( uint16_t ) status_data.overcurrent_fault );
            }
            log_printf( &logger, "-----------------------------------\r\n" );
        }
        Delay_ms ( 1000 ); 
        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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