Intermediate
30 min

Improve your power management with LTC3129-1 and PIC18F57Q43

Revolutionary voltage control

Buck-Boost Click with Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43

Published Feb 13, 2024

Click board™

Buck-Boost Click

Dev. board

Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC18F57Q43

Your power, your rules - our Buck-Boost combo empowers you to take charge like never before.

A

A

Hardware Overview

How does it work?

Buck-Boost Click is based on the LTC3129-1, a 1.3μA quiescent current, monolithic, current mode, buck-boost DC/DC converter that can operate over a wide input voltage range of 1.92V to 15V and provide up to 200mA to the load from Analog Devices. The LTC3129-1 is characterized by its low noise and ripple level at the output, high regulating efficiency, and low quiescent current. Eight fixed, user-programmable output voltages can be selected using the three digital programming pins routed to the INT, AN, and CS pins of the mikroBUS™ socket. A proprietary switch control algorithm allows the Buck-Boost converter to regulate output voltage with input voltages above, below, or equal to the output voltage. Transitions between the step-up or step-down operating modes are seamless and free of transients and sub-harmonic switching, making

this product ideal for noise-sensitive applications. Buck-Boost Click possesses two different modes of operation - PWM and Burst Mode, depending on the nature of the application. The PWM mode can be selected by setting the PWM pin of the mikroBUS™ socket to a logic high level and is suitable for working with higher loads connected to the converter output and when extremely low output noise is required. When selecting the PWM mode, LTC3129-1 has a fixed nominal switching frequency of 1.2MHz using an internally compensated average current mode control loop. In this mode, the output voltage's ripple and noise level are minimal. For high-efficiency operation at light loads, automatic Burst Mode operation can be selected, reducing the quiescent current to 1.3µA. Burst mode can be chosen if the PWM pin is set to a logic low level. If the connected load is

light enough, the converter will remain working in Burst mode, running only when necessary to maintain voltage regulation. Otherwise, the PWM mode will automatically engage, providing enough current for the connected load. This Click board™ completely powers itself from the VIN external power supply terminal. Once the power is applied to the VIN terminal, the circuit must also be enabled by setting the RUN pin routed to the RST pin of the mikroBUS™ socket to a high logic level. This will power up the converter, which the PWR LED indicator will indicate. It also includes additional features such as a power-good output with a Power Good LED indicator labeled PGOOD that pulls to the ground when FB drops too far below its regulated voltage. This pin also can sink up to the absolute maximum rating of 15mA when set low.

Buck-Boost 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

Output Voltage Selection
PA0
AN
Enable
PA7
RST
Output Voltage Selection
PD4
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
NC
NC
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Mode Selection
PB0
PWM
Output Voltage Selection
PA6
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

Buck-Boost 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

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:

  • buckboost_set_mode_fixed_freq - This function set fixed frequency PWM operation mode of LTC3129-1

  • buckboost_enables_auto_burst_mode - This function enables automatic burst mode operation of LTC3129-1

  • buckboost_set_2500mv - This function set the output voltage of 2500mV

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 
 * \brief Buck-Boost  Click example
 * 
 * # Description
 * The demo application change output voltage from 2500 mV to 15000 mV every 5 seconds.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Initialization device and set default configuration.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 *  This is a example which demonstrates the use of Buck Boost Click board.
 *  Change output voltage from 2500 mV to 15000 mV every 5 seconds.
 *  All data logs write on usb uart for aproximetly every 5 sec.
 *  
 * \author MikroE Team
 *
 */
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "buckboost.h"

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

static buckboost_t buckboost;
static log_t logger;

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

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;
    buckboost_cfg_t cfg;

    /** 
     * 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 ----\r\n");

    //  Click initialization.

    buckboost_cfg_setup( &cfg );
    BUCKBOOST_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    buckboost_init( &buckboost, &cfg );

    buckboost_default_cfg( &buckboost );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "        Buck Boost Click        \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    Delay_ms( 100 );
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  2500 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_2500mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms( 5000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  3300 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_3300mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms( 5000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  4100 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_4100mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms( 5000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  5000 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_5000mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms( 5000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  6900 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_6900mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms( 5000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  8200 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_8200mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms( 5000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  12000 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_12000mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms( 5000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  15000 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_15000mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms( 5000 );
}

void main ( void )
{
    application_init( );

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

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

Additional Support

Resources

Love this project?

'Buy This Kit' button takes you directly to the shopping cart where you can easily add or remove products.