Buck 3 click
PID: MIKROE-2971
Weight: 30 g
Buck 3 click is a very advanced synchronous step-down (buck) converter, which is
designed to deliver noise and ripple-free voltage to highly sensitive applications, such as
FPGA and high-performance DSP platforms. The onboard step-down converter IC
integrates low RDSON MOSFETs, that allow high efficiency, and thus high current on the
output - up to 8A. Buck 3 operates at 800kHz, allowing an optimal balance between the
efficiency and the size of the used components. DCM mode ensures that the efficiency is
maintained even while working with light loads.
Besides clean, noiseless and ripple-free 3.3V output provided by the proprietary D-CAP3™
PWM control mode for a fast transient response, this device also features overvoltage and
undervoltage protection, thermal protection, current limiting, soft start function, and more.
These features allow Buck 3 click to be used in a range of different applications, such as
servers and storage devices, set-top boxes, telecom and networking, sensitive DSP and
FPGA embedded applications, and similar applications that require a clean and regulated
power supply.
How does it work?
Buck 3 click uses the TPS568215, a 4.5V to 17V Input, 8A synchronous step-down SWIFT™
converter from Texas Instruments. Its main features are the unparalleled ripple and noisefree operation, as well as the high efficiency throughout the whole load range, up to 8A. As
such, it is suitable for powering up power demanding applications. Driven by the D-CAP3™
technology, the TPS568215 allows for a very low number of external components,
maintaining an accurate voltage at the output. To further minimize the noise, the
TPS568215 has separate grounds for the logic signal and the analog signal. The design of
the Click board™ PCB ensures that the low noise operation is maintained within the
specifications.
The onboard voltage divider connected to the MODE pin of the IC is used to set the device
to work with the fixed PWM frequency of 800kHz, DCM/Eco-mode™ for light loads, and to
set the limiting current to about 7A.
When the connected load is light enough, the ripple current valleys on the inductor coils
will cross zero. Since the TPS568215 is set to operate in DCM/Eco-mode™, the device will
start skipping PWM pulses, maintaining the efficiency that way. For regular loads, the
device will be operated with the fixed frequency PWM signal, set by the MODE pin 800kHz, providing low ripple and low noise output voltage.
The PGD (power good) pin is used to signalize the undervoltage or overvoltage status of the
device. When the voltage on the feedback pin is between 97% and 107% of the nominal
output voltage, this pin is de-asserted and pulled to a HIGH logic level by the onboard pullup resistor. When a faulty condition occurs, this pin is driven to a LOW logic state. PGD pin
is routed to the CS pin of the mikroBUS™
The EN pin is used to enable the device. Setting this pin to HIGH logic level (above 1.2V)
will activate the internal switching circuitry. When the pin is set to a LOW logic level, the
device is in STANDBY mode, and the power consumption is minimal. The EN pin is routed
to the mikroBUS™ AN pin.
This Click board™ is not powered up by the mikroBUS™ power rails. The power for the
logic sections of the IC is supplied by the internal LDO output from the TPS568215
(VREG). This internal LDO is supplied by the input voltage, so the Buck 3 click will appear
unpowered unless the external power supply is connected to the input terminal.
Buck 3 click has two 2-pole terminals, used to connect the external power supply and the
load. These robust input and output screw terminals have cross-section dimensions which
allow high currents to be connected, with no heating or damage.
Specifications
Type
Buck
Applications
A perfect choice for step-down applications for
embedded electronic devices, servers, routers, data
storage devices, low power ICs, etc
On-board
modules
TPS568215 4.5V to 17V input, 8A synchronous stepdown SWIFT™ converter from Texas Instruments
Key Features
Eco-mode™ for the improved efficiency for light loads,
D-CAP3™ technology for the low external components
count, low noise and low output voltage ripple, very high
efficiency allows current up to 8A
Interface
GPIO
Click board
size
M (42.9 x 25.4 mm)
Pinout diagram
This table shows how the pinout on Buck 3 click corresponds to the pinout on the
mikroBUS™ socket (the latter shown in the two middle columns).
Notes
Pin
Enable
Power ground terminal
Ground
Pin
NC
1
AN
PWM
16
NC
EN
2
RST
INT
15
NC
PGD
3
CS
RX
14
NC
NC
4
SCK
TX
13
NC
NC
5
MISO
SCL
12
NC
NC
6
MOSI
SDA
11
NC
NC
7
3.3V
5V
10
NC
GND
8
GND
GND
9
GND
Notes
Ground
Buck 3 click electrical specifications
Description
Min
Typ
Max
Unit
Input Voltage
-0.3
-
10
V
Regulated output voltage
-
3.3
-
V
Current output
-
8
-
A
Onboard settings and indicators
Label
Name
Default
PWR
-
LD1
Description
Power LED indicator
Software support
We provide the library for Buck 3 click on our LibStock page, as well as the demo
application (example), developed using MikroElektronika compilers and mikroSDK. The
provided click library is mikroSDK standard compliant. The demo application can run on all
the main MikroElektronika development boards.
Library Description
The library carries only two functions needed to control Buck 3 click.
Key functions:
•
•
uint8_t buck3_getState() - Checks the Power Good Indicator.
void buck3_enable( uint8_t state ) - Puts the device in working mode (enable).
Examples Description
The demo application is composed of three sections:
•
System Initialization - Initializes the CS pin as INPUT and RST pin as OUTPUT.
•
Application Initialization - Initializes the Driver init and puts the device in ACTIVE mode.
•
Application Task - (code snippet) - Sequentially, each second, checks the status of the Buck 3
Click and if the overvoltage detected or device is under thermal shutdown
it logs a message on the USBUART.
Note: Open Drain Power Good Indicator, it is asserted low if the output voltage is out of PGOOD
threshold, Overvoltage or if the device is under thermal shutdown, EN shutdown or during soft start.
Once the FB pin voltage is between 93% and 107% of the internal reference voltage (VREF) the PGOOD is
pulled high.
void applicationTask()
{
statePG = buck3_getState();
if (statePG == 0)
{
mikrobus_logWrite( "Overvoltage or thermal shutdown detected", _LOG_LINE );
Delay_1sec();
}
}
The full application code and ready-to-use projects can be found on our LibStock page.
Other MikroElektronika libraries used in the example:
•
UART
Additional notes and information
Depending on the development board you are using, you may need USB UART click, USB
UART 2 click or RS232 click to connect to your PC, for development systems with no UART
to USB interface available on the board. The terminal available in all
MikroElektronika compilers, or any other terminal application of your choice, can be used
to read the message.
mikroSDK
This click board is supported by the mikroSDK - MikroElektronika Software Development
Kit. To ensure proper operation of mikroSDK compliant click board demo applications, the
mikroSDK should be downloaded from the LibStock and installed for the compiler you are
using.
For more information about mikroSDK, visit the official page.
Downloads
mikroBUS™ Standard specification
LibStock: mikroSDK
Libstock: Buck 3 click library
TSP568215 datasheet
Buck 3 click schematic
Buck 3 click: 2D and 3D files
https://www.mikroe.com/buck-3-click 4-17-18