Intermediate
30 min

Increase your voltage with LT1945 and PIC32MZ2048EFH100

Boosted energy = increased potential

Boost 8 Click with Flip&Click PIC32MZ

Published May 27, 2023

Click board™

Boost 8 Click

Dev. board

Flip&Click PIC32MZ

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC32MZ2048EFH100

Upgrade your power management and take your engineering game to the next level with a boost converter

A

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

Boost 8 Click is based on the LT1945, a dual micropower DC/DC converter from Analog Devices that boosts an input voltage to a higher level required by an output load. The LT1945 uses a constant off-time control scheme to provide high efficiency over a wide range of output currents. Each converter inside the LT1945 is designed with a 350mA current limit generating well-regulated positive and negative outputs of ±12V or ±24V, making the LT1945 ideal for various applications. It also contains additional circuitry to provide protection during the Start-Up sequence and under short-circuit conditions, reducing the average inductor output current and minimizing the

power dissipation in the power switch.As mentioned, the LT1945 can configure the positive and negative output voltage in the ±12V or ±24V range. The desired output voltage can be selected by positioning SMD jumpers labeled +VOUT SEL and -VOUT SEL to an appropriate position. It is also possible to control the activity of the output channels via two mikroBUS™ pins, EN+ and EN- pins routed to the RST and PWM pin of the mikroBUS™ socket. By setting these pins to a high logic state, the converter outputs are set to an active state, and regulated voltages are available at the output terminals. In the same way, setting these pins to a low logic level disables the channels.

This Click board™ can only be operated from a 3.3V logic voltage level. Therefore, the board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. Additionally, there is a possibility for the LT1945 power supply selection via jumper labeled as VIN SEL to supply the LT1945 from an external power supply terminal in the range from 2.7V to 5V or with 3.3V from mikroBUS™ power rail. However, the 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.

Boost 8 Click hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

Flip&Click PIC32MZ is a compact development board designed as a complete solution 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 PIC32MZ microcontroller, the PIC32MZ2048EFH100 from Microchip, four mikroBUS™ sockets for Click board™ connectivity, two USB connectors, LED indicators, buttons, debugger/programmer connectors, and two headers compatible with Arduino-UNO pinout. Thanks to innovative manufacturing technology,

it allows you to build gadgets with unique functionalities and features quickly. Each part of the Flip&Click PIC32MZ development kit contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. In addition, there is the possibility of choosing the Flip&Click PIC32MZ programming method, using the chipKIT bootloader (Arduino-style development environment) or our USB HID bootloader using mikroC, mikroBasic, and mikroPascal for PIC32. This kit includes a clean and regulated power supply block through the USB Type-C (USB-C) connector. All communication

methods that mikroBUS™ itself supports are on this board, including the well-established mikroBUS™ socket, user-configurable buttons, and LED indicators. Flip&Click PIC32MZ development kit allows 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.

Flip&Click PIC32MZ double image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC32

MCU Memory (KB)

2048

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

100

RAM (Bytes)

524288

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
Positive Channel Control
RE2
RST
NC
NC
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Negative Channel Control
RC14
PWM
NC
NC
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
NC
NC
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

Boost 8 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Flip&Click PIC32MZ front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Flip&Click PIC32MZ as your development board.

Flip&Click PIC32MZ front image hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Flip&Click PIC32MZ MB1 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 Boost 8 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • boost8_enable_positive_voltage Enable positive voltage output function.

  • boost8_disable_positive_voltage Disable positive voltage output function.

  • boost8_enable_negative_voltage Enable negative voltage output function.

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 Boost 8 Click Example.
 *
 * # Description
 * This is an example that demonstrates the use of the Boost 8 Click board.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * Initializes EN+ and EN- pins, UART log, and performs default configuration.
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * Waits for user input in order to determine what output should be enabled.
 *
 * @author Stefan Ilic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "boost8.h"

static boost8_t boost8;   /**< Boost 8 Click driver object. */
static log_t logger;    /**< Logger object. */

/**
 * @brief Boost 8 log list of commands.
 * @details This function is used for logging a list of available commands used in this example.
 */
void boost8_list_of_commands( void );

void application_init ( void ) 
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    boost8_cfg_t boost8_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.
    boost8_cfg_setup( &boost8_cfg );
    BOOST8_MAP_MIKROBUS( boost8_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    if ( DIGITAL_OUT_UNSUPPORTED_PIN == boost8_init( &boost8, &boost8_cfg ) ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    boost8_default_cfg ( &boost8 );
    
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
    boost8_list_of_commands();
}

void application_task ( void ) 
{
    char inx;
    
    // Waiting for the user input and performing actions based on a selected command.
    if ( log_read( &logger, &inx, 1 ) != BOOST8_ERROR )
    {
        switch(inx)
        {
            case '1' :
            {
                log_printf( &logger, "Turning on positive output \r\n" );
                boost8_enable_positive_voltage( &boost8 );
                break;
            }
            case '2' :
            {
                log_printf( &logger, "Turning off positive output \r\n" );
                boost8_disable_positive_voltage( &boost8 );
                break;
            }
            case '3' :
            {
                log_printf( &logger, "Turning on negative output \r\n" );
                boost8_enable_negative_voltage( &boost8 );
                break;
            }
            case '4':
            {
                log_printf( &logger, "Turning off negative output \r\n" );
                boost8_disable_negative_voltage( &boost8 );
                break;
            }
            case '5' :
            {
                log_printf( &logger, "Turning on both outputs \r\n" );
                boost8_enable_both_outputs( &boost8 );
                break;
            }
            case '6' :
            {
                log_printf( &logger, "Turning off both outputs \r\n" );
                boost8_disable_both_outputs( &boost8 );
                break;
            }
            default:
            {
                log_printf( &logger, "> Invalid command \r\n" );
                boost8_list_of_commands();
                break;
            }
        }
    }
    
}

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;
}

void boost8_list_of_commands( void )
{
    log_printf( &logger, "> List of valid commands: \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "1 - Turn on positive output \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "2 - Turn off positive output \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "3 - Turn on negative output \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "4 - Turn off negative output \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "5 - Turn on both outputs \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "6 - Turn off both outputs \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "Enter command from provided list:  \r\n" );
}

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

Additional Support

Resources

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