Intermediate
30 min

Achieve silent and reliable switching with BD8LB600FS-C and PIC18F25K40

No more sparks, just precision: Introducing solid-state relay innovation

SolidSwitch 3 Click with EasyPIC v8

Published Nov 01, 2023

Click board™

SolidSwitch 3 Click

Dev. board

EasyPIC v8

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC18F25K40

From industrial automation to home automation, our SSRs offer the precision and safety you need to stay ahead of the curve

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

SolidSwitch 3 Click is based on the BD8LB600FS-C, an automotive eight-channel low-side load switch from Rohm Semiconductor. Every switch is controlled through a serial peripheral interface and includes an N-channel MOSFET that supports a maximum current of 1A. The BD8LB600FS-C offers flexible protection boundaries for systems against input voltage up to 5V and limits the output load current, making this device ideal for driving resistive, inductive, and capacitive loads. This Click board™ communicates with MCU through a standard SPI interface and operates at clock rates up to 5MHz, providing data in a digital format of 16 bits. It also has the Reset feature labeled as RST and routed to the RST pin of the

mikroBUS™ socket. In addition to these pins, there are a few more, like DIR and two input pins, IN1 and IN2 pins, routed to the AN, PWM, and INT pins of the mikroBUS™ socket. The DIR signal represents a transition to a direct mode activated by setting this pin to a high logic level. Depending on the set logic state on the DIR pin, pins IN1 and IN2 can be used to control the given output channels; IN1 represents the control of channels 1 and 5 when the DIR is at a low logic state, while IN2 defines the management of channels 2 and 6 when the DIR is at a low logic state. When the DIR is set to a high logic state, IN1 controls only channel 5 and IN2 only channel 6. As mentioned, the BD8LB600FS-C also has built-in protection

circuits, namely the overcurrent, the thermal shutdown, the open-load detection, and the voltage lock-out circuits. Moreover, this device also possesses a diagnostic output function during abnormal detection. 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.

SolidSwitch 3 Click top side image
SolidSwitch 3 Click bottom side image

Features overview

Development board

EasyPIC v8 is a development board specially designed for the needs of rapid development of embedded applications. It supports many high pin count 8-bit PIC microcontrollers from Microchip, regardless of their number of pins, and a broad set of unique functions, such as the first-ever embedded debugger/programmer. The development board is well organized and designed so that the end-user has all the necessary elements, such as switches, buttons, indicators, connectors, and others, in one place. Thanks to innovative manufacturing technology, EasyPIC v8 provides a fluid and immersive working experience, allowing access anywhere and under any

circumstances at any time. Each part of the EasyPIC v8 development board contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. In addition to the advanced integrated CODEGRIP programmer/debugger module, which offers many valuable programming/debugging options and seamless integration with the Mikroe software environment, the board also includes a clean and regulated power supply module for the development board. It can use a wide range of external power sources, including a battery, an external 12V power supply, and a power source via the USB Type-C (USB-C) connector.

Communication options such as USB-UART, USB DEVICE, and CAN are also included, including the well-established mikroBUS™ standard, two display options (graphical and character-based LCD), and several different DIP sockets. These sockets cover a wide range of 8-bit PIC MCUs, from the smallest PIC MCU devices with only eight up to forty pins. EasyPIC v8 is an integral part of the Mikroe ecosystem for rapid development. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping and development thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.

EasyPIC v8 horizontal image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC

MCU Memory (KB)

32

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

28

RAM (Bytes)

2048

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

Direct Mode
RA3
AN
Reset
RA0
RST
SPI Chip Select
RA5
CS
SPI Clock
RC3
SCK
SPI Data OUT
RC4
MISO
SPI Data IN
RC5
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
1/5 Channel Control
RC1
PWM
2/6 Channel Control
RB1
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
2

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

SolidSwitch 3 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

EasyPIC v8 front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the EasyPIC v8 as your development board.

EasyPIC v8 front image hardware assembly
LTE IoT 5 Click front image hardware assembly
MCU DIP 28 hardware assembly
LTE IoT 5 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
EasyPIC v8 28pin-DIP Access - upright/background hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
NECTO Compiler Selection Step Image hardware assembly
NECTO Output Selection Step Image hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Necto DIP image step 7 hardware assembly
Necto image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Necto PreFlash Image 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 SolidSwitch 3 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • solidswitch3_enable_output - This function enables the specified output channel.

  • solidswitch3_disable_output - This function disables the specified output channel.

  • solidswitch3_reset - This function resets the device by toggling the reset pin.

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 SolidSwitch3 Click example
 *
 * # Description
 * This example demonstrates the use of SolidSwitch 3 click board by controlling
 * the output state.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * Initializes the driver and performs the click default configuration.
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * Enables all outputs one by one in the span of 8 seconds, and after that disables 
 * all outputs for 3 seconds. Accordingly, the outputs status will be displayed on the USB UART.
 *
 * @author Stefan Filipovic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "solidswitch3.h"

static solidswitch3_t solidswitch3;
static log_t logger;

/**
 * @brief SolidSwitch 3 display all enabled channels function.
 * @details This function displays all enabled channels on USB UART.
 * @param[out] ctx : Click context object.
 * See #solidswitch3_t object definition for detailed explanation.
 * @return None.
 * @note None.
 */
static void solidswitch3_display_enabled_channels ( solidswitch3_t *ctx );

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    solidswitch3_cfg_t solidswitch3_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.
    solidswitch3_cfg_setup( &solidswitch3_cfg );
    SOLIDSWITCH3_MAP_MIKROBUS( solidswitch3_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    if ( SPI_MASTER_ERROR == solidswitch3_init( &solidswitch3, &solidswitch3_cfg ) )
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    SET_SPI_DATA_SAMPLE_EDGE;
    
    if ( SOLIDSWITCH3_ERROR == solidswitch3_default_cfg ( &solidswitch3 ) )
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Default configuration." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    for ( uint16_t cnt = SOLIDSWITCH3_CH_OUT1; cnt <= SOLIDSWITCH3_CH_OUT8; cnt <<= 1 )
    {
        if ( SOLIDSWITCH3_OK == solidswitch3_enable_output ( &solidswitch3, cnt ) )
        {
            solidswitch3_display_enabled_channels( &solidswitch3 );
            Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        }
    }
    
    if ( SOLIDSWITCH3_OK == solidswitch3_disable_output ( &solidswitch3, SOLIDSWITCH3_ALL_CHANNELS ) )
    {
        solidswitch3_display_enabled_channels( &solidswitch3 );
        Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        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;
}

static void solidswitch3_display_enabled_channels ( solidswitch3_t *ctx )
{
    uint16_t output_state = ctx->output_state;
    uint8_t enabled_flag = 0;
    
    log_printf( &logger, " Outputs enabled: " );
    for ( uint8_t cnt = 1; cnt <= 16; cnt++ )
    {
        if ( SOLIDSWITCH3_OUT_ENABLE == ( output_state & SOLIDSWITCH3_OUT_BITS_MASK ) )
        {
            if ( enabled_flag == 1 )
            {
                log_printf( &logger, ", %u", ( uint16_t ) cnt );
            }
            else
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " %u", ( uint16_t ) cnt );
            }
            enabled_flag = 1;
        }
        output_state >>= 2;
    }
    
    if ( enabled_flag == 0 )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, " none" );
    }
    log_printf( &logger, "\r\n-----------------------\r\n" );
}

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

Additional Support

Resources

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