Smart Buck 8 Click

How does it work?

Smart Buck 8 Click is based on the TPS6286B08, a high-frequency, synchronous step-down converter from Texas Instruments designed to deliver excellent transient response over a broad load current range. Operating in pulse width modulation (PWM) mode at medium to heavy loads and automatically entering power save mode at light loads, this device ensures optimal energy efficiency in every operating condition. Its DCS-Control architecture contributes to outstanding load transient performance and tight output voltage regulation, making it highly suitable for applications demanding stable and precise power delivery like supplying core voltages to FPGAs, CPUs, ASICs, and DSPs, as well as for use in machine vision cameras, IP network cameras, and solid-state drives.

Smart Buck 8 Click supports an input voltage range from 2.4V to 5.5V at the VIN terminal, where a green VIN LED indicates the presence of external power, and provides an output voltage adjustable from 0.4V to 1.675V with fine 5mV dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) step size via the I2C interface. With a start-up voltage as low as 0.9V and a maximum output current capability of 8A, it can power high-performance digital loads while maintaining thermal stability and robust fault protection. The integrated HICCUP short-circuit protection and thermal shutdown safeguard the system against overloads and excessive temperatures, ensuring reliable operation in demanding environments.

This Click board™ is designed in a unique format supporting the newly introduced MIKROE feature called "Click Snap." Unlike the standardized version of Click boards, this feature allows the main sensor/IC/module area to become movable by breaking the PCB, opening up many new possibilities for implementation. Thanks to the Snap feature, the TPS6286B08 can operate autonomously by accessing its signals directly on the pins marked 1-8. Additionally, the Snap part includes a specified and fixed screw hole position, enabling users to secure the Snap board in their desired location.

Communication with the host microcontroller is established over an I2C interface supporting clock speeds up to 3.4MHz, with a fixed address of 0x42 and defined read and write access frames. To optimize power control and operational management, the board also integrates the MAX40200 from Analog Devices, which enables or disables the TPS6286B08 through the dedicated PON pin.

A dedicated EN pin allows for external enable/disable control of the entire power module, supporting power domain management in software-controlled power sequencing scenarios. Additionally, there is also a Power Good (PG pin) output that is also routed to an onboard red LED labeled ERROR, which provides real-time visual indication of any voltage irregularities or faults - indicate valid and stable output voltages.

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.

Click Snap

Click Snap is an innovative feature of our standardized Click add-on boards, designed to bring greater flexibility and optimize your prototypes. By simply snapping the PCB along predefined lines, you can easily detach the main sensor/IC/module area, reducing the overall size, weight, and power consumption - ideal for the final phase of prototyping. For more details about Click Snap, visit the official page dedicated to this feature.

Specifications

Pinout diagram

This table shows how the pinout on Smart Buck 8 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	Device Enable
Main Power Enable	PON	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

Smart Buck 8 Click electrical specifications

Software Support

Smart Buck 8 Click demo application is developed using the NECTO Studio, ensuring compatibility with mikroSDK's open-source libraries and tools. Designed for plug-and-play implementation and testing, the demo is fully compatible with all development, starter, and mikromedia boards featuring a mikroBUS™ socket.

Example Description

This example demonstrates the use of the Smart Buck 8 Click board. The application cyclically adjusts the output voltage between its minimum and maximum values in steps and monitors the PG (Power Good) pin for any fault conditions. It logs any detected faults including undervoltage lockout, thermal warning, or hiccup event status.

Key Functions

• smartbuck8_cfg_setup This function initializes Click configuration structure to initial values.
• smartbuck8_init This function initializes all necessary pins and peripherals used for this Click board.
• smartbuck8_default_cfg This function executes a default configuration of Smart Buck 8 Click board.
• smartbuck8_get_pg_pin This function reads the logic level of the PG (power-good) pin.
• smartbuck8_read_status This function reads the value of the STATUS register and returns it via output pointer.
• smartbuck8_set_vout This function sets the output voltage by writing a scaled value to the VOUT register.

Application Init

Initializes the logger and the Smart Buck 8 Click driver, and applies the default configuration.

Application Task

Cycles the output voltage up and down between the minimum and maximum supported values. Checks for fault conditions via the PG pin and logs detailed status flags if any fault is detected.

Application Output

This Click board can be interfaced and monitored in two ways:

• Application Output - Use the "Application Output" window in Debug mode for real-time data monitoring. Set it up properly by following this tutorial.
• UART Terminal - Monitor data via the UART Terminal using a USB to UART converter. For detailed instructions, check out this tutorial.

Additional Notes and Information

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.