Serializer Click

How does it work?

Serializer Click as its foundation uses the MAX31910, an eight-channel digital input translator/serializer for high-channel density digital input modules in industrial and process automation from Maxim Integrated, now part of Analog Devices. It features integrated current limiting, low-pass filtering, and channel serialization. Input current limiting allows a significant reduction in power consumed from the field voltage supply (external typical 24V) compared to traditional discrete resistor-divider implementations. The device uses patent-pending circuit techniques to further reduce power beyond possible input current limiting alone.

The MAX31910 translates, conditions, and serializes the 24V digital output of sensors and switches to 5V CMOS-compatible signals required by the MCU. It provides the front-end interface circuit of a programmable logic controller (PLC) digital input module. Selectable on-chip low-pass filters allow flexible debouncing and filtering sensor outputs based on the application. The serializer is stackable so that any number of input channels (IN1-IN8) can be serialized and output through only one SPI-compatible port.

The serializer inputs (IN1-IN8) sense the state (ON vs. OFF) of field sensors by monitoring both voltage and a current flowing through the sensor output. The current sinking through these input pins rises linearly with input voltage until the limit set by the current clamp is reached (set by an onboard potentiometer). Any voltage increase beyond this point does not further increase the input current.

Serializer Click communicates with MCU through a standard SPI interface in a configuration with installed digital isolators (ISO7741 and LTV-817S). Also, it uses an interrupt pin, the FLT pin of the mikroBUS™ socket, used as a ‘fault’ indicator which immediately notifies the host when a fault such as an overtemperature or undervoltage condition occurs. It also has a two-channel switch labeled DB, which determines the current switching frequency. The current switching clock period is automatically selected according to a switch position.

This Click board™ can operate with both 3.3V and 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VCC SEL jumper. This way, it is allowed for both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs to use the communication lines properly. However, the 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 Serializer 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	NC
	NC	2	RST	INT	15	FLT	Fault Indicator
SPI Chip Select	CS	3	CS	RX	14	NC
SPI Clock	SCK	4	SCK	TX	13	NC
SPI Data OUT	SDO	5	MISO	SCL	12	NC
SPI Data IN	SDI	6	MOSI	SDA	11	NC
Power Supply	3.3V	7	3.3V	5V	10	5V	Power Supply
Ground	GND	8	GND	GND	9	GND	Ground

Onboard settings and indicators

Serializer Click electrical specifications

Software Support

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

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

Library Description

This library contains API for Serializer Click driver.

Key functions

• serializer_get_flt_pin This function returns the fault pin logic state.

• serializer_read_input This function reads the input data by using SPI serial interface, and then checks the data integrity by verifying the CRC byte.

Example Description

This example demonstrates the use of a Serializer Click board™ by reading the state of all inputs and displaying the results on the USB UART.

 void application_task ( void ) 
 { 
     uint8_t input_data = 0; 
     err_t status = serializer_read_input ( &serializer, &input_data ); 

     if ( SERIALIZER_ERROR != status ) 
     { 
         for ( uint8_t cnt = 0; cnt < 8; cnt++ ) 
         { 
             log_printf( &logger, " IN%u: %srn", ( uint16_t ) cnt + 1,  
                                                   ( char * ) ( ( input_data & ( 1 << cnt ) ) ? "High" : "Low" ) ); 
         } 
         if ( status & SERIALIZER_STATUS_UNDERVOLTAGE ) 
         { 
             log_info( &logger, "Undervoltage fault" ); 
         } 
         if ( status & SERIALIZER_STATUS_OVERTEMPERATURE ) 
         { 
             log_info( &logger, "Overtemperature fault" ); 
         } 
         log_printf( &logger, "rn" ); 
         Delay_ms( 1000 ); 
     } 
 }

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

Other Mikroe Libraries used in the example:

• MikroSDK.Board
• MikroSDK.Log
• Click.Serializer

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 MikroElektronika compilers.

mikroSDK

This Click board™ is supported with mikroSDK – MikroElektronika 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.