Buck 15 Click

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.

Specifications

Pinout diagram

This table shows how the pinout on Buck 15 Click corresponds to the pinout on the mikroBUS™ socket (the latter shown in the two middle columns).

Notes	Pin					Pin	Notes
	NC	1	AN	PWM	16	EN	Module Power-Up
	NC	2	RST	INT	15	PG	Power-Good Indicator
ID COMM	CS	3	CS	RX	14	NC
	NC	4	SCK	TX	13	NC
	NC	5	MISO	SCL	12	SCL	I2C Clock
	NC	6	MOSI	SDA	11	SDA	I2C Data
Power Supply	3.3V	7	3.3V	5V	10	5V	Power Supply
Ground	GND	8	GND	GND	9	GND	Ground

Onboard settings and indicators

Buck 15 Click electrical specifications

Software Support

We provide a library for the Buck 15 Click as well as a demo application (example), developed using MIKROE compilers. The demo can run on all the main MIKROE development boards.

Package can be downloaded/installed directly from NECTO Studio Package Manager (recommended), downloaded from our LibStock™ or found on Mikroe github account.

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 interface.

• buck15_set_vset This function sets the wiper position for the output voltage settings by using an I2C serial interface.

• buck15_enable_device This function enables the device by setting the EN pin to high logic state.

Example Description

This example demonstrates the use of the Buck 15 Click board™ by changing the output voltage.

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]rn", vout_table[ vout ] ); 
             log_printf( &logger, "____________rn" ); 
             Delay_ms( 5000 ); 
         } 
     } 
 }

The full application code, and ready to use projects can be installed directly from NECTO Studio Package Manager (recommended), downloaded from our LibStock™ or found on Mikroe github account.

Other Mikroe Libraries used in the example:

• MikroSDK.Board
• MikroSDK.Log
• Click.Buck15

Additional notes and informations

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. UART terminal is available in all MIKROE compilers.

mikroSDK

This Click board™ is supported with mikroSDK – MIKROE Software Development Kit. To ensure proper operation of mikroSDK compliant Click board™ demo applications, mikroSDK should be downloaded from the LibStock and installed for the compiler you are using.

For more information about mikroSDK, visit the official page.