Intermediate
30 min

Improve your power management with LTC3129-1 and STM32F031K6

Revolutionary voltage control

Buck-Boost Click with Nucleo 32 with STM32F031K6 MCU

Published Oct 01, 2024

Click board™

Buck-Boost Click

Dev. board

Nucleo 32 with STM32F031K6 MCU

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

STM32F031K6

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

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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

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.

Nucleo 32 with STM32F031K6 MCU double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

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.

Click Shield for Nucleo-32 accessories 1 image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

Output Voltage Selection
PA0
AN
Enable
PA11
RST
Output Voltage Selection
PA4
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
NC
NC
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Mode Selection
PA8
PWM
Output Voltage Selection
PA12
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

Click Shield for Nucleo-144 front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Nucleo 32 with STM32F031K6 MCU as your development board.

Click Shield for Nucleo-144 front image hardware assembly
Nucleo 144 with STM32L4A6ZG MCU front image hardware assembly
Stepper 22 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Stepper 22 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Board mapper by product8 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
STM32 M4 Clicker HA MCU/Select 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 ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  3300 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_3300mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  4100 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_4100mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  5000 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_5000mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  6900 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_6900mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  8200 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_8200mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  12000 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_12000mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    log_printf( &logger, " Set Output Voltage of  15000 mV \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "--------------------------------\r\n" );
    buckboost_set_15000mv( &buckboost );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    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

Additional Support

Resources

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