Master VCT monitoring with LTC2990 and STM32F407VGT6
TempVoltCurrent insight
Published Aug 12, 2023
Click board™
VCT Monitor Click
Dev. board
EasyMx PRO v7 for STM32
Compiler
NECTO Studio
MCU
STM32F407VGT6
Track real-time temperature, voltage, and current easily for issue detection and operational optimization
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Hardware Overview
How does it work?
VCT Monitor Click is based on the LTC2990, a high-performance temperature, voltage, and current monitor with the I2C serial interface from Analog Devices. The LTC2990 can be configured to measure many combinations of internal temperature, remote temperature, remote voltage or current, and internal VCC with single or repeated measurements. It fits in systems needing sub-millivolt voltage resolution, 1% current measurement, and 1°C temperature accuracy or any combination. The input signals are selected with an input MUX, controlled by the control logic
block. The control logic uses the mode bits in the control register to manage the sequence and types of data acquisition. The control logic also controls the variable current sources during remote temperature acquisition. The ADC performs the necessary conversion(s) and supplies the data to the control logic for further processing for temperature measurements or routing to the appropriate data register for voltage and current measurements. Remote measurements are performed on terminals labeled as TEMP and LOAD using multiple ADC conversions and source
currents to compensate for sensor series resistance. The LTC2990 is calibrated to yield the correct temperature for a remote diode with an ideality factor of 1.004. 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
EasyMx PRO v7 for STM32 is the seventh generation of ARM development boards specially designed for the needs of rapid development of embedded applications. It supports a wide range of 32-bit ARM microcontrollers from STMicroelectronics and a broad set of unique functions, such as a powerful onboard mikroProg programmer and In-Circuit debugger over USB-B. The development board is well organized and designed so that the end-user has all the necessary elements, such as switches, buttons, indicators, connectors, and others, in one place. With two different connectors for each port, EasyMx PRO v7 for STM32 allows you to connect accessory boards, sensors, and custom electronics
more efficiently than ever. Each part of the EasyMx PRO v7 for STM32 development board contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. An integrated mikroProg, a fast USB 2.0 programmer with mikroICD hardware In-Circuit Debugger, offers many valuable programming/debugging options and seamless integration with the Mikroe software environment. Besides it also includes a clean and regulated power supply block for the development board. It can use a wide range of external power sources, including an external 12V power supply, 7-23V AC or 9-32V DC via DC connector/screw terminals, and a power source via the USB Type-B (USB-B) connector. Communication options such
as USB-UART, USB-HOST/DEVICE, CAN, and Ethernet are also included, including the well-established mikroBUS™ standard, one display option for the TFT board line of products, and a standard TQFP socket for the seventh-generation MCU cards. This socket covers a wide range of 32-bit ARM MCUs, like STM32 Cortex-M3 and -M4 MCUs. EasyMx PRO v7 for STM32 is an integral part of the Mikroe ecosystem for rapid development. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping and development thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.
Microcontroller Overview
MCU Card / MCU
Type
7th Generation
Architecture
ARM Cortex-M4
MCU Memory (KB)
10
Silicon Vendor
STMicroelectronics
Pin count
100
RAM (Bytes)
192k
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 EasyMx PRO v7 for STM32 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 VCT Monitor Click driver.
Key functions:
vctmonitor_get_status- Gets status valuevctmonitor_read_temperature- Get temperature functionvctmonitor_read_current- Current function
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 VCTMonitor Click example
*
* # Description
* This is an example which demonstrates the use of VCT Monitor Click board.
*
* The demo application is composed of two sections :
*
* ## Application Init
* Initialization driver enables the USB uart terminal and I2C.
*
* ## Application Task
* Reads temperature, current value, and differential voltage every 4 seconds.
*
* @note
* The click has been tested using the following:
* - Power supply - 4V
* - Current (Load) - 0A to 3A
* - External MMBT3904 temperature sensor
*
* @author Stefan Ilic
*
*/
#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "vctmonitor.h"
static vctmonitor_t vctmonitor;
static log_t logger;
void application_init ( void ) {
log_cfg_t log_cfg; /**< Logger config object. */
vctmonitor_cfg_t vctmonitor_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.
vctmonitor_cfg_setup( &vctmonitor_cfg );
VCTMONITOR_MAP_MIKROBUS( vctmonitor_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
err_t init_flag = vctmonitor_init( &vctmonitor, &vctmonitor_cfg );
if ( I2C_MASTER_ERROR == init_flag ) {
log_error( &logger, " Application Init Error. " );
log_info( &logger, " Please, run program again... " );
for ( ; ; );
}
log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
}
void application_task ( void ) {
float temperature;
float voltage;
float current;
voltage = vctmonitor_read_voltage_differential( &vctmonitor );
log_printf( &logger, " Voltage : %.2f mV \r\n", voltage );
current = vctmonitor_read_current( &vctmonitor );
log_printf( &logger, " Current : %.2f mA \r\n", current );
temperature = vctmonitor_read_temperature( &vctmonitor );
log_printf( &logger, " Temperature: %.2f C \r\n", temperature );
log_printf( &logger, "- - - - - - - - - - - -\r\n" );
Delay_ms( 4000 );
}
void main ( void ) {
application_init( );
for ( ; ; ) {
application_task( );
}
}
// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END
