Intermediate
30 min

Experience the voltage step-down elegance with BMR4613001/001 and PIC18F57Q43

Synchronous step-down beast!

Buck 14 Click with Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43

Published Feb 13, 2024

Click board™

Buck 14 Click

Dev Board

Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC18F57Q43

Through its ability to step down voltages with exceptional efficiency, our buck converter also contributes to a greener and more sustainable future by conserving energy resources

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

Buck 14 Click is based on the BMR4613001/001 - a PoL regulator from Flex that incorporates a wide range of readable and configurable power management features that are simple to implement with a minimum of external components. Additionally, it includes protection features that continuously safeguard the load from damage due to unexpected system faults. A fault is also shown as an alert on the ALR pin of the mikroBUS™ socket. The product is delivered with a default configuration suitable for various operations regarding input voltage, output voltage, and load. The configuration is stored in an internal Non-Volatile Memory (NVM). All power management functions can be reconfigured using the PMBus interface. It is possible to monitor various parameters through the PMBus interface. Fault conditions can be monitored using the

ALERT pin, which will be asserted when any pre-configured fault or warning conditions occur. The Buck 14 click supports tracking the output from a master voltage applied to the VTRK pin of BMR4613001/001. To select the tracking mode, a resistance ≤ 4.22 kΩ must be connected between the VSET and PREF pins (RS resistor). The tracking ratio is controlled by an internal feedback divider RDIV and an external resistive voltage divider (R3, R2, not populated on the board) placed from the supply being tracked to GND pins. Unlike PID-based digital power regulators, the product uses a state-space model-based algorithm valid for both the small- and large-signal response and accounts for duty-cycle saturation effects. This eliminates the need for users to determine and set thresholds for transitioning from linear to nonlinear modes. These capabilities result in a fast loop transient

response and the possibility of reducing the number of output capacitors. The product features a remote control input through the EN pin and a PMBus enable function by the command OPERATION to control the output voltage. It is also possible to configure the output to be always on. By default, the output is controlled by the EN pin only. The output voltage control can be reconfigured using the PMBus command ON_OFF_CONFIG. It is designed to operate in different thermal environments, and sufficient cooling must ensure reliable operation. Cooling is achieved mainly by conduction, from the pins to the host board, and convection, which depends on the product's airflow. Increased airflow enhances the cooling of the product.

Buck 14 Click hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity Nano evaluation kit is a cutting-edge hardware platform designed to evaluate microcontrollers within the PIC18-Q43 family. Central to its design is the inclusion of the powerful PIC18F57Q43 microcontroller (MCU), offering advanced functionalities and robust performance. Key features of this evaluation kit include a yellow user LED and a responsive

mechanical user switch, providing seamless interaction and testing. The provision for a 32.768kHz crystal footprint ensures precision timing capabilities. With an onboard debugger boasting a green power and status LED, programming and debugging become intuitive and efficient. Further enhancing its utility is the Virtual serial port (CDC) and a debug GPIO channel (DGI

GPIO), offering extensive connectivity options. Powered via USB, this kit boasts an adjustable target voltage feature facilitated by the MIC5353 LDO regulator, ensuring stable operation with an output voltage ranging from 1.8V to 5.1V, with a maximum output current of 500mA, subject to ambient temperature and voltage constraints.

PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity Nano double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC

MCU Memory (KB)

128

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

48

RAM (Bytes)

8196

You complete me!

Accessories

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards is a versatile hardware extension platform created to streamline the integration between Curiosity Nano kits and extension boards, tailored explicitly for the mikroBUS™-standardized Click boards and Xplained Pro extension boards. This innovative base board (shield) offers seamless connectivity and expansion possibilities, simplifying experimentation and development. Key features include USB power compatibility from the Curiosity Nano kit, alongside an alternative external power input option for enhanced flexibility. The onboard Li-Ion/LiPo charger and management circuit ensure smooth operation for battery-powered applications, simplifying usage and management. Moreover, the base incorporates a fixed 3.3V PSU dedicated to target and mikroBUS™ power rails, alongside a fixed 5.0V boost converter catering to 5V power rails of mikroBUS™ sockets, providing stable power delivery for various connected devices.

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards accessories 1 image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

Power Good Indicator
PA0
AN
NC
NC
RST
Enable
PD4
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Sync
PB0
PWM
Alert
PA6
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
I2C Clock
PB1
SCL
I2C Data
PB2
SDA
NC
NC
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Schematic

Buck 14 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43 as your development board.

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards front image hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click front image hardware assembly
PIC18F47Q10 Curiosity Nano front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Curiosity Nano with PICXXX Access MB 1 - 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
PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity 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

After loading the code example, pressing the "DEBUG" button builds and programs it on the selected setup.

Application Output Step 1

After programming is completed, a header with buttons for various actions available in the IDE appears. By clicking the green "PLAY "button, we start reading the results achieved with Click board™.

Application Output Step 3

Upon completion of programming, the Application Output tab is automatically opened, where the achieved result can be read. In case of an inability to perform the Debug function, check if a proper connection between the MCU used by the setup and the CODEGRIP programmer has been established. A detailed explanation of the CODEGRIP-board connection can be found in the CODEGRIP User Manual. Please find it in the RESOURCES section.

Application Output Step 4

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for Buck 14 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • buck14_power_ctrl - This function sets state of the power control pin

  • buck14_salert - This function gets manufacturer ID

  • buc14_write_vout - This function sets output voltage

Open Source

Code example

This example can be found in NECTO Studio. Feel free to download the code, or you can copy the code below.

/*!
 * \file 
 * \brief Buck14 Click example
 * 
 * # Description
 * This app enables usage of high-efficiency step-down converter.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Configure device.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 * Sends 4 different commands for VOUT in span of 8sec
 * 
 * *note:* 
 * When you send data you should send LSB first.
 * Device input V should be beetween 4.5 - 14 V.
 * Device output V could be from 0.5 - 5 V deepending from limits you set currently it is set to 1V.
 * 
 * \author MikroE Team
 *
 */
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "buck14.h"

// ------------------------------------------------------------------ VARIABLES

static buck14_t buck14;
static log_t logger;

// ------------------------------------------------------- ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

void error_handler ( uint8_t stat_data )
{
    if ( stat_data == BUCK14_ERROR )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "ERROR! \r\n " );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    else if ( stat_data == BUCK14_ID_ERROR )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "ID ERROR! \r\n " );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    else if ( stat_data == BUCK14_CMD_ERROR )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "CMD ERROR! \r\n " );
    }
}

void read_vout_data ( buck14_t *ctx )
{
    uint16_t temp_data;

    temp_data = buc14_read_vout( &buck14 );
    log_printf( &logger, "VOUT ~ %u mV \r\n", temp_data );
}

// ------------------------------------------------------ APPLICATION FUNCTIONS

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;
    buck14_cfg_t cfg;
    uint8_t write_data;
    uint8_t status_data;

    /** 
     * 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.

    buck14_cfg_setup( &cfg );
    BUCK14_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    buck14_init( &buck14, &cfg );

    buck14_reset( &buck14 );

    write_data  = BUCK14_CTRL_ENABLE_NO_MARGIN;
    buck14_generic_write( &buck14, BUCK14_CMD_OPERATION, &write_data , 1 );
    Delay_ms( 300 );

    status_data = buck14_check_mfr_id(  &buck14 );
    error_handler( status_data );
    log_printf( &logger, "-Device ID OK!\r\n" );
    
    buck14_power_ctrl( &buck14, BUCK14_PIN_STATE_HIGH );

    buck14_default_cfg( &buck14 );
    log_printf( &logger, " ***** App init ***** \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "----------------------\r\n" );
    Delay_ms( 100 );
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    uint8_t status_data;
    float vout_value;

    vout_value = 1.2;
    status_data = buc14_write_vout( &buck14, vout_value );
    error_handler( status_data );

    if ( status_data == BUCK14_SUCCESSFUL )
    {
        read_vout_data(  &buck14 );
    }
    Delay_ms( 8000 );

    vout_value = 3.7;
    status_data = buc14_write_vout( &buck14, vout_value );
    error_handler( status_data );

    if ( status_data == BUCK14_SUCCESSFUL )
    {
        read_vout_data( &buck14 );
    }

    Delay_ms( 8000 );

    vout_value = 2.5;
    status_data = buc14_write_vout( &buck14, vout_value );
    error_handler( status_data );

    if ( status_data == BUCK14_SUCCESSFUL )
    {
        read_vout_data(  &buck14 );
    }
    
    Delay_ms( 8000 );

    vout_value = 4.5;
    status_data = buc14_write_vout(  &buck14, vout_value );
    error_handler( status_data );

    if ( status_data == BUCK14_SUCCESSFUL )
    {
        read_vout_data(  &buck14 );
    }
    
    Delay_ms( 4000 );
    log_printf( &logger, "```````````````\r\n" );
    Delay_ms( 4000 );
}

void main ( void )
{
    application_init( );

    for ( ; ; )
    {
        application_task( );
    }
}

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

Additional Support

Resources