Provide a stable, reduced voltage from a higher input voltage source using TPS62903 and STM32F031K6
AEC-Q100 qualified synchronous step-down (buck) DC/DC converter
Published Oct 01, 2024
Click board™
Buck 15 Click
Dev. board
Nucleo 32 with STM32F031K6 MCU
Compiler
NECTO Studio
MCU
STM32F031K6
Lower and stabilize the voltage for various systems requiring reliable power management, such as ADAS, body electronics, lighting, and infotainment, ensuring they operate smoothly and safely
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Hardware Overview
How does it work?
Buck 15 Click is based on the TPS62903, a synchronous step-down DC/DC converter from Texas Instruments, recognized for its high efficiency, compact size, and adaptability. This converter stands out for its rapid transient response and supports a high output voltage accuracy of ±1.5% across the entire operating temperature range. It employs the DCS-control topology to enhance load transient performance, and its broad input voltage range accommodates various power sources, including 12V supply rails, single-cell or multi-cell Li-Ion batteries, and 5V or 3.3V power rails. Notably, the TPS62903 is designed to automatically enter power save mode under light load conditions, ensuring high efficiency and a low quiescent current of 4µA to optimize performance even at minimal loads. Communication with the Buck 15 Click is conducted through a standard 2-wire interface linked to the AD5242, allowing the
host MCU to adjust the output voltage. The device's I2C address is configurable via the ADDR SEL jumper, with a default setting of 0. This Click board™ also features a power-good (PG) pin that indicates when the output voltage falls outside the predetermined window threshold and an EN pin, which serves as a precision regulator-enable input. Besides these pins, the TPS62903 also has a MODE/Smart-CONF pin, allowing for comprehensive customization of operational parameters such as the internal and external divider, switching frequency, output voltage discharge, and the mode of operation between automatic power save and forced PWM. An 11k R11 resistor setting achieves a 1MHz switching frequency, enabled output discharge, and Auto PFM/PWM Mode. The output voltage is adjustable from 0.4V to 5V, supporting currents up to 3A, enabled by an onboard digital potentiometer, the
AD5242. Buck 15 Click also offers versatile power sourcing options, allowing users to choose between internal and external supplies to suit their application needs best. This flexibility is achieved through the VIN SEL jumper, which enables users to select the VCC position for sourcing power internally via the mikroBUS™ power rails or the VEXT position to connect an external power supply. The external power supply can range from 3V to 17V, providing a broad voltage range for various project requirements. 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 32 with STM32F031K6 MCU board provides an affordable and flexible platform for experimenting with STM32 microcontrollers in 32-pin packages. Featuring Arduino™ Nano connectivity, it allows easy expansion with specialized shields, while being mbed-enabled for seamless integration with online resources. The
board includes an on-board ST-LINK/V2-1 debugger/programmer, supporting USB reenumeration with three interfaces: Virtual Com port, mass storage, and debug port. It offers a flexible power supply through either USB VBUS or an external source. Additionally, it includes three LEDs (LD1 for USB communication, LD2 for power,
and LD3 as a user LED) and a reset push button. The STM32 Nucleo-32 board is supported by various Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) such as IAR™, Keil®, and GCC-based IDEs like AC6 SW4STM32, making it a versatile tool for developers.
Microcontroller Overview
MCU Card / MCU
Architecture
ARM Cortex-M0
MCU Memory (KB)
32
Silicon Vendor
STMicroelectronics
Pin count
32
RAM (Bytes)
4096
You complete me!
Accessories
Click Shield for Nucleo-32 is the perfect way to expand your development board's functionalities with STM32 Nucleo-32 pinout. The Click Shield for Nucleo-32 provides two mikroBUS™ sockets to add any functionality from our ever-growing range of Click boards™. We are fully stocked with everything, from sensors and WiFi transceivers to motor control and audio amplifiers. The Click Shield for Nucleo-32 is compatible with the STM32 Nucleo-32 board, providing an affordable and flexible way for users to try out new ideas and quickly create prototypes with any STM32 microcontrollers, choosing from the various combinations of performance, power consumption, and features. The STM32 Nucleo-32 boards do not require any separate probe as they integrate the ST-LINK/V2-1 debugger/programmer and come with the STM32 comprehensive software HAL library and various packaged software examples. This development platform provides users with an effortless and common way to combine the STM32 Nucleo-32 footprint compatible board with their favorite Click boards™ in their upcoming projects.
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 32 with STM32F031K6 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 Buck 15 Click driver.
Key functions:
buck15_set_vout- This function sets the voltage output by using an I2C serial interfacebuck15_set_vset- This function sets the wiper position for the output voltage settings by using an I2C serial interfacebuck15_enable_device- This function enables the device by setting the EN pin to high logic state
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 Buck 15 Click example
*
* # Description
* This example demonstrates the use of the Buck 15 Click board by changing the output voltage.
*
* The demo application is composed of two sections :
*
* ## Application Init
* Initializes the driver and performs the device default configuration.
*
* ## Application Task
* The demo application changes the output voltage and displays the currently set voltage output value.
* Results are being sent to the UART Terminal, where you can track their changes.
*
* @author Nenad Filipovic
*
*/
#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "buck15.h"
static buck15_t buck15;
static log_t logger;
// Output voltage data table
static float vout_table[ 22 ] = { BUCK15_VOUT_TABLE };
void application_init ( void )
{
log_cfg_t log_cfg; /**< Logger config object. */
buck15_cfg_t buck15_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.
buck15_cfg_setup( &buck15_cfg );
BUCK15_MAP_MIKROBUS( buck15_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
if ( I2C_MASTER_ERROR == buck15_init( &buck15, &buck15_cfg ) )
{
log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
for ( ; ; );
}
if ( BUCK15_ERROR == buck15_default_cfg ( &buck15 ) )
{
log_error( &logger, " Default configuration." );
for ( ; ; );
}
log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
log_printf( &logger, "____________\r\n" );
Delay_ms( 100 );
}
void application_task ( void )
{
for ( buck15_vout_t vout = BUCK15_VOUT_0V6; vout <= BUCK15_VOUT_5V; vout++ )
{
if ( BUCK15_OK == buck15_set_vout( &buck15, vout ) )
{
log_printf( &logger, " Vout : %.1f [V]\r\n", vout_table[ vout ] );
log_printf( &logger, "____________\r\n" );
Delay_ms( 5000 );
}
}
}
int main ( void )
{
application_init( );
for ( ; ; )
{
application_task( );
}
return 0;
}
// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END
