Achieve reliable load management in automotive power distribution systems with VNF1048F and PIC18F57Q43
High-side switch controller with intelligent e-fuse protection
Published Oct 24, 2024
Click board™
SolidSwitch 6 Click
Dev. board
Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43
Compiler
NECTO Studio
MCU
PIC18F57Q43
Ensure safe and reliable load management in automotive power distribution systems
A
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Hardware Overview
How does it work?
SolidSwitch 6 Click is based on the VNF1048F, a high-side switch controller for automotive applications from STMicroelectronics. This intelligent controller is designed to drive external MOSFETs in a high-side configuration, making it ideal for 12V, 24V, and 48V power distribution systems. Its key feature is intelligent e-fuse protection, which provides reliable overcurrent protection. It is crucial for automotive environments where safety and performance are paramount, like load management in cars, trucks, and other vehicles. The board operates with an external supply voltage ranging from 6V to 48V, allowing flexibility in power applications, with an integrated VIN green LED indicator showing an active external power supply. At its core, the VNF1048F replaces traditional high-current automotive fuses with an advanced overcurrent protection mechanism capable of detecting and responding to excessive current to protect connected systems. It features an
integrated gate drive that controls an external MOSFET (Q2 STL130N8F7) used for load control. The load connection is made through a VOUT terminal, accompanied by a green LED that indicates active load control. Additionally, SolidSwitch 6 Click integrates an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) resistor, which monitors the external MOSFET's temperature to ensure safe operation. The VNF1048F offers protection features, including battery under-voltage shutdown, configurable external MOSFET desaturation shutdown, and hard short-circuit latch-off. It also protects the device and external MOSFET overheating, automatically shutting down in case of high temperatures. Despite its robust features, SolidSwitch 6 Click boasts a very low standby current, ensuring operation even in power-sensitive applications. The VNF1048F communicates with the host MCU via a 3.3V and 5V CMOS-compatible SPI interface, enabling system protection and
diagnostics. In addition to the SPI interface pins, this board also uses other mikroBUS™ socket pins, such as the DGN pin for diagnostic feedback and the HWL pin, which triggers a state where the registers are locked from writing, enhancing system security and prevent unintended configuration changes. The board also includes an unpopulated header labeled V3, which provides access to the output of the 3.3V internal LDO voltage regulator intended for logic and I/O supply. This Click board™ can operate with either 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VIO 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.
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.
Microcontroller Overview
MCU Card / MCU
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.
Wire Jumpers Male to Male (15 cm length, 10pcs) is a set of high-quality jumper wires designed for easy prototyping and testing. Each wire in the set is 15cm long, with male connectors on both ends, allowing an easy connection between components on breadboards or other electronic projects. The set includes ten wires in different colors, providing clear identification and organization in your circuit. These wire jumpers are ideal for DIY projects, setups, and other electronic applications where quick, reliable connections are required.
Used MCU Pins
mikroBUS™ mapper
Take a closer look
Click board™ Schematic
Step by step
Project assembly
Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43 as your development board.
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 6 Click driver.
Key functions:
solidswitch6_get_vout- This function reads the raw ADC value and converts it to a proportional voltage level using the SPI serial interface.solidswitch6_set_control- This function writes control registers to configure the switch controller using the SPI serial interface.solidswitch6_get_device_temp- This function reads the raw ADC value and converts it to device temperature in degrees Celsius using the SPI serial interface.
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 SolidSwitch 6 Click example
*
* # Description
* This library contains API for the SolidSwitch 6 Click driver
* and demonstrate uses of the high-side switch controller with intelligent fuse protection.
*
* The demo application is composed of two sections :
*
* ## Application Init
* The initialization of the SPI module and log UART.
* After driver initialization, the app sets the default configuration.
*
* ## Application Task
* The demo application reads and displays the device temperature
* and voltage level of the current sense amplifier, NTC, and output voltage measurement.
* Results are being sent to the UART Terminal, where you can track their changes.
*
* @author Nenad Filipovic
*
*/
#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "solidswitch6.h"
static solidswitch6_t solidswitch6;
static log_t logger;
void application_init ( void )
{
log_cfg_t log_cfg; /**< Logger config object. */
solidswitch6_cfg_t solidswitch6_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.
solidswitch6_cfg_setup( &solidswitch6_cfg );
SOLIDSWITCH6_MAP_MIKROBUS( solidswitch6_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
if ( SPI_MASTER_ERROR == solidswitch6_init( &solidswitch6, &solidswitch6_cfg ) )
{
log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
for ( ; ; );
}
if ( SOLIDSWITCH6_ERROR == solidswitch6_default_cfg ( &solidswitch6 ) )
{
log_error( &logger, " Default configuration." );
for ( ; ; );
}
log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
log_printf( &logger, " ______________________\r\n" );
Delay_ms ( 100 );
}
void application_task ( void )
{
float app_buf = 0;
if ( SOLIDSWITCH6_OK == solidswitch6_get_device_temp( &solidswitch6, &app_buf ) )
{
log_printf( &logger, " Temperature: %.2f [degC]\r\n", app_buf );
Delay_ms ( 100 );
}
if ( SOLIDSWITCH6_OK == solidswitch6_get_vntc( &solidswitch6, &app_buf ) )
{
log_printf( &logger, " NTC: %.2f V\r\n", app_buf );
Delay_ms ( 100 );
}
if ( SOLIDSWITCH6_OK == solidswitch6_get_vout( &solidswitch6, &app_buf ) )
{
log_printf( &logger, " Vout: %.2f V\r\n", app_buf );
Delay_ms ( 100 );
}
if ( SOLIDSWITCH6_OK == solidswitch6_get_vds( &solidswitch6, &app_buf ) )
{
log_printf( &logger, " VDS: %.2f V\r\n", app_buf );
Delay_ms ( 100 );
}
log_printf( &logger, " ______________________\r\n" );
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
Category:Relay
