Produce an output voltage that is less than its input with TPSM63610 and STM32F413ZH
Adjusting power for perfect performance
Published Feb 14, 2024
Click board™
Step Down 10 Click
Dev. board
Nucleo 144 with STM32F413ZH MCU
Compiler
NECTO Studio
MCU
STM32F413ZH
Make sure your device gets the right "language" of power, even if the power source speaks a different voltage "language"
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Hardware Overview
How does it work?
Step Down 10 Click is based on the TPSM63610, a high-density synchronous buck DC/DC power module with enhanced HotRodTM from Texas Instruments. The TPSM63610 features up to 95% efficiency, ultra-low conducted and radiated EMI signatures, several protection mechanisms, and more. The feedback input of the TPSM63610 that sets the desired voltage output regulation consists of a voltage divider, of which one part is the MCP4661T, a dual digital POT with non-volatile memory from Microchip. The MCP4661T is a 100K potentiometer in 8-bit resolution, has 256 wiper steps, and can store values in the internal EEPROM. The TPSM63610 also has an adjustable frequency of 2.2MHz up to 400kHz, which can be selected over the onboard digital potentiometer or set as a fixed value over the unpopulated R12
resistor. The values are in the table of the attached Step Down 10 Click schematic. There are two screw terminals for connecting input and output voltages. The Step Down 10 Click features an additional 3-pin header. This header allows you to improve efficiency by connecting the VLDO as an input bias voltage to the VOUT as an output voltage. You can also improve noise immunity by connecting the VLDO to GND with a 0.1 μF to 1 μF capacitor. If the output voltage is above the 12V, connect VLDO to GND. Step Down 10 Click uses a standard 2-Wire I2C interface of the MCP4661T to allow the host MCU to set the output voltage, supporting clock frequencies up to 3.4MHz. The I2C address can be selected over the ADDR SEL jumper (0 set by default). The power-good PG pin will be asserted if the output voltage is not within
the specified window threshold. Over the MD pin, you can set the mode of operation for this module. You can choose between auto mode, forced pulse width modulation, and synchronization with an external clock, in this case, set over the digital potentiometer (or resistor). The EN pin is a precision enable input to the regulator. 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.
Features overview
Development board
Nucleo-144 with STM32F413ZH MCU board offers an accessible and adaptable avenue for users to explore new ideas and construct prototypes. It allows users to tailor their experience by selecting from a range of performance and power consumption features offered by the STM32 microcontroller. With compatible boards, the
internal or external SMPS dramatically decreases power usage in Run mode. Including the ST Zio connector, expanding ARDUINO Uno V3 connectivity, and ST morpho headers facilitate easy expansion of the Nucleo open development platform. The integrated ST-LINK debugger/programmer enhances convenience by
eliminating the need for a separate probe. Moreover, the board is accompanied by comprehensive free software libraries and examples within the STM32Cube MCU Package, further enhancing its utility and value.
Microcontroller Overview
MCU Card / MCU
Architecture
ARM Cortex-M4
MCU Memory (KB)
1536
Silicon Vendor
STMicroelectronics
Pin count
144
RAM (Bytes)
327680
You complete me!
Accessories
Click Shield for Nucleo-144 comes equipped with four mikroBUS™ sockets, with one in the form of a Shuttle connector, allowing all the Click board™ devices to be interfaced with the STM32 Nucleo-144 board with no effort. This way, MIKROE allows its users to add any functionality from our ever-growing range of Click boards™, such as WiFi, GSM, GPS, Bluetooth, ZigBee, environmental sensors, LEDs, speech recognition, motor control, movement sensors, and many more. Featuring an ARM Cortex-M microcontroller, 144 pins, and Arduino™ compatibility, the STM32 Nucleo-144 board offers limitless possibilities for prototyping and creating diverse applications. These boards are controlled and powered conveniently through a USB connection to program and efficiently debug the Nucleo-144 board out of the box, with an additional USB cable connected to the USB mini port on the board. Simplify your project development with the integrated ST-Link debugger and unleash creativity using the extensive I/O options and expansion capabilities. This Click Shield also has several switches that perform functions such as selecting the logic levels of analog signals on mikroBUS™ sockets and selecting logic voltage levels of the mikroBUS™ sockets themselves. Besides, the user is offered the possibility of using any Click board™ with the help of existing bidirectional level-shifting voltage translators, regardless of whether the Click board™ operates at a 3.3V or 5V logic voltage level. Once you connect the STM32 Nucleo-144 board with our Click Shield for Nucleo-144, you can access hundreds of Click boards™, working with 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels.
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 Nucleo 144 with STM32F413ZH MCU 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 Step Down 10 Click driver.
Key functions:
stepdown10_get_pg_state- Step Down 10 get PG pin state function.stepdown10_set_wiper_pos- Step Down 10 set wiper position.stepdown10_set_output- Step Down 10 set output voltage.
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 Step Down 10 Click example
*
* # Description
* This library contains API for the Step Down 10 Click driver.
* This driver provides the functions to set the output voltage treshold.
*
* The demo application is composed of two sections :
*
* ## Application Init
* Initialization of I2C module and log UART.
* After driver initialization, default settings sets output voltage to 2 V.
*
* ## Application Task
* This example demonstrates the use of the Step Down 10 Click board™ by changing
* output voltage every 2 seconds starting from 2 V up to 20 V.
*
* @author Stefan Ilic
*
*/
#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "stepdown10.h"
static stepdown10_t stepdown10;
static log_t logger;
void application_init ( void )
{
log_cfg_t log_cfg; /**< Logger config object. */
stepdown10_cfg_t stepdown10_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.
stepdown10_cfg_setup( &stepdown10_cfg );
STEPDOWN10_MAP_MIKROBUS( stepdown10_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
if ( I2C_MASTER_ERROR == stepdown10_init( &stepdown10, &stepdown10_cfg ) )
{
log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
for ( ; ; );
}
if ( STEPDOWN10_ERROR == stepdown10_default_cfg ( &stepdown10 ) )
{
log_error( &logger, " Default configuration." );
for ( ; ; );
}
log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
}
void application_task ( void )
{
for ( uint8_t n_cnt = STEPDOWN10_MIN_OUTPUT; n_cnt <= STEPDOWN10_MAX_OUTPUT; n_cnt++ )
{
stepdown10_set_output( &stepdown10, ( float ) n_cnt );
log_printf( &logger, " Output voltage %d V\r\n", ( uint16_t ) n_cnt );
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;
}
// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END
