Extend the battery life of non-rechargeable primary batteries with NBM7100A and STM32C031C6
Coin-cell battery-life booster with adaptive power optimization
Published Oct 09, 2024
Click board™
BATT Boost 2 Click
Dev Board
Nucleo 64 with STM32C031C6 MCU
Compiler
NECTO Studio
MCU
STM32C031C6
Extend battery life in low-power devices with smart power management perfect for IoT sensors, industrial devices, and wearables
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Hardware Overview
How does it work?
BATT Boost 2 Click is based on the NBM7100A, a coin-cell battery-life booster with adaptive power optimization from Nexperia, designed to extend the battery life of non-rechargeable, primary batteries in low-voltage, low-power applications. This innovative solution is specifically designed to address the voltage drops and battery life limitations typically associated with high pulse current demands from primary batteries like the CR2032 coin cell attached to the back of the board. The NBM7100A's adaptive learning algorithm monitors the system's energy consumption and optimizes the internal DC-DC conversion process to manage the remaining charge in the storage capacitor efficiently, reducing energy waste. This makes BATT Boost 2 Click ideal for powering wireless IoT sensors, industrial devices, and wearable consumer electronics where efficient battery usage is crucial, especially in applications with high internal battery impedance and frequent bursts of power demand. As mentioned, the NBM7100A integrates two high-efficiency DC-DC conversion stages and employs an intelligent learning algorithm to maximize the usable capacity of primary batteries. The first stage draws energy at a low, steady current from the battery and stores it in a capacitor. This stored energy is then released
during the second stage of DC-DC conversion to supply a stable, regulated voltage with high pulse load capability on the VDH output terminal. This design allows the device to handle bursts of current, up to 200mA, without directly taxing the battery with large pulse currents, ensuring a longer, more predictable battery lifespan. In addition to the VDH terminal, BATT Boost 2 Click features another output labeled VDP, which serves as a 'permanent' supply terminal with a maximum output current of 5mA. The VDP terminal is ideal for powering 'Always-ON' system components, such as the core and I/O of a host MCU. On the power supply side, the main power supply for the NBM7100A can be sourced either from the 3.3V mikroBUS™ socket or the attached coin battery on the back of the board, with the selection made via the VBAT SEL jumper. The NBM7100A offers three distinct operating modes: Continuous, On-demand, and Auto mode. Continuous mode suits applications requiring immediate pulse load capability, ensuring the system can respond quickly to power demands. On-demand mode, on the other hand, is optimized for extending battery life in low-duty cycle applications, where the system remains in sleep mode for extended periods. Auto mode automates the process of managing power transitions between
charging and active states without requiring constant oversight from the serial bus, using a HIGH logic level from the ON pin on the mikroBUS™ socket for control. BATT Boost 2 Click uses a standard 2-wire I2C communication protocol, allowing the host MCU to control the NBM7100A, modify default configuration settings, and retrieve system information. The I2C interface supports clock frequencies up to 1MHz, with the device address selectable via the ADDR SEL jumper, which can be set to either position 0 or 1, corresponding to I2C addresses 0x2E or 0x2F. Additionally, several pins from the mikroBUS™ socket are used for further control of the NBM7100A: the ON pin manages the above-mentioned Auto mode, while the RDY pin provides a HIGH logic signal indicating that the NBM7100A is ready to deliver full power to the connected load. This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. Also, it comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.
Features overview
Development board
Nucleo-64 with STM32C031C6 MCU offers a cost-effective and adaptable platform for developers to explore new ideas and prototype their designs. This board harnesses the versatility of the STM32 microcontroller, enabling users to select the optimal balance of performance and power consumption for their projects. It accommodates the STM32 microcontroller in the LQFP64 package and includes essential components such as a user LED, which doubles as an ARDUINO® signal, alongside user and reset push-buttons, and a 32.768kHz crystal oscillator for precise timing operations. Designed with expansion and flexibility in mind, the Nucleo-64 board features an ARDUINO® Uno V3 expansion connector and ST morpho extension pin
headers, granting complete access to the STM32's I/Os for comprehensive project integration. Power supply options are adaptable, supporting ST-LINK USB VBUS or external power sources, ensuring adaptability in various development environments. The board also has an on-board ST-LINK debugger/programmer with USB re-enumeration capability, simplifying the programming and debugging process. Moreover, the board is designed to simplify advanced development with its external SMPS for efficient Vcore logic supply, support for USB Device full speed or USB SNK/UFP full speed, and built-in cryptographic features, enhancing both the power efficiency and security of projects. Additional connectivity is
provided through dedicated connectors for external SMPS experimentation, a USB connector for the ST-LINK, and a MIPI® debug connector, expanding the possibilities for hardware interfacing and experimentation. Developers will find extensive support through comprehensive free software libraries and examples, courtesy of the STM32Cube MCU Package. This, combined with compatibility with a wide array of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), including IAR Embedded Workbench®, MDK-ARM, and STM32CubeIDE, ensures a smooth and efficient development experience, allowing users to fully leverage the capabilities of the Nucleo-64 board in their projects.
Microcontroller Overview
MCU Card / MCU
Architecture
ARM Cortex-M0
MCU Memory (KB)
32
Silicon Vendor
STMicroelectronics
Pin count
64
RAM (Bytes)
12K
You complete me!
Accessories
Click Shield for Nucleo-64 comes equipped with two proprietary mikroBUS™ sockets, allowing all the Click board™ devices to be interfaced with the STM32 Nucleo-64 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. More than 1537 Click boards™, which can be stacked and integrated, are at your disposal. The STM32 Nucleo-64 boards are based on the microcontrollers in 64-pin packages, a 32-bit MCU with an ARM Cortex M4 processor operating at 84MHz, 512Kb Flash, and 96KB SRAM, divided into two regions where the top section represents the ST-Link/V2 debugger and programmer while the bottom section of the board is an actual development board. These boards are controlled and powered conveniently through a USB connection to program and efficiently debug the Nucleo-64 board out of the box, with an additional USB cable connected to the USB mini port on the board. Most of the STM32 microcontroller pins are brought to the IO pins on the left and right edge of the board, which are then connected to two existing mikroBUS™ sockets. 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-64 board with our Click Shield for Nucleo-64, 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
Schematic
Step by step
Project assembly
Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Nucleo 64 with STM32C031C6 MCU as your development board.
Track your results in real time
Application Output via Debug Mode
1. Once the code example is loaded, pressing the "DEBUG" button initiates the build process, programs it on the created setup, and enters Debug mode.
2. After the programming is completed, a header with buttons for various actions within the IDE becomes visible. Clicking the green "PLAY" button starts reading the results achieved with the Click board™. The achieved results are displayed in the Application Output tab.
Software Support
Library Description
This library contains API for BATT Boost 2 Click driver.
Key functions:
battboost2_set_vset- This function is used to control the output voltage levels of the NBM7100ABQX, Coin cell battery life booster with adaptive power optimization on the BATT Boost 2 Click.battboost2_high_impedance_mode- This function is used to configures the VDH high-impedance mode in Standby and Active states of the NBM7100ABQX, Coin cell battery life booster with adaptive power optimization on the BATT Boost 2 Click.battboost2_set_on_pin_state- This function sets the desired states of the ON (RST) pin of the NBM7100ABQX, Coin cell battery life booster with adaptive power optimization on the BATT Boost 2 Click.
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 main.c
* @brief BATT Boost 2 Click example
*
* # Description
* This library contains API for the BATT Boost 2 Click driver.
* This driver provides the functions to control battery energy management
* device designed to maximize usable capacity from non-rechargeable.
*
* The demo application is composed of two sections :
*
* ## Application Init
* Initialization of I2C module and log UART.
* After driver initialization, the app executes a default configuration,
* sets the output voltage to 1.8V, charge current to 16mA,
* and early warning voltage to 2.6V.
*
* ## Application Task
* This example demonstrates the use of the BATT Boost 2 Click board.
* The demo application uses two operations in two states:
* the charging state and the active state. First, when the device is in a Charge state,
* the external storage capacitor is charging from VBT using a constant current
* and displays storage capacitor voltage levels and charge cycle count.
* Upon completion of a Charge state, the device transitions to the Active state
* at which time VDH becomes a regulated voltage output of 1.8V (default configuration),
* displays storage capacitor voltage level, and monitors alarms
* for low output voltage (below 1.8V) and early warning (below 2.4V).
* Results are being sent to the UART Terminal, where you can track their changes.
*
* @author Stefan Ilic
*
*/
#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "battboost2.h"
static battboost2_t battboost2;
static log_t logger;
void application_init ( void )
{
log_cfg_t log_cfg; /**< Logger config object. */
battboost2_cfg_t battboost2_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.
battboost2_cfg_setup( &battboost2_cfg );
BATTBOOST2_MAP_MIKROBUS( battboost2_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
if ( I2C_MASTER_ERROR == battboost2_init( &battboost2, &battboost2_cfg ) )
{
log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
for ( ; ; );
}
if ( BATTBOOST2_ERROR == battboost2_default_cfg ( &battboost2 ) )
{
log_error( &logger, " Default configuration." );
for ( ; ; );
}
log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
Delay_ms ( 100 );
}
void application_task ( void )
{
float vcap = 0;
uint8_t status = 0;
uint32_t chenergy = 0;
if ( BATTBOOST2_STATUS_READY != battboost2_get_ready( &battboost2 ) )
{
if ( BATTBOOST2_OK == battboost2_set_op_mode( &battboost2, BATTBOOST2_OP_MODE_CHARGE ) )
{
log_printf( &logger, "\nOperating state: Charge\r\n" );
}
if ( BATTBOOST2_OK == battboost2_get_vcap( &battboost2, &vcap ) )
{
log_printf( &logger, " Capacitor Voltage: %.2f V \r\n", vcap );
}
if ( BATTBOOST2_OK == battboost2_get_chenergy( &battboost2, &chenergy ) )
{
log_printf( &logger, " Charge cycle count: %lu \r\n", chenergy );
}
Delay_ms ( 1000 );
}
else
{
if ( BATTBOOST2_OK == battboost2_set_op_mode( &battboost2, BATTBOOST2_OP_MODE_ACTIVE ) )
{
log_printf( &logger, "\nOperating state: Active\r\n" );
if ( BATTBOOST2_OK == battboost2_get_vcap( &battboost2, &vcap ) )
{
log_printf( &logger, " Capacitor Voltage: %.2f V \r\n", vcap );
}
if ( BATTBOOST2_OK == battboost2_get_status( &battboost2, &status ) )
{
if ( BATTBOOST2_STATUS_EW & status )
{
log_printf( &logger, " Status: Early warning.\r\n" );
}
if ( BATTBOOST2_STATUS_ALRM & status )
{
log_printf( &logger, " Status: Low output voltage in the Active state.\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
