TIDM-BIDIR-400-12: A confirmation about the necessity of PC to make the converter work

Dear Gus,

Thank you for replying.

Thanks to you, I could understand the steps you said gradually.

I’m sorry, but I’d like to make my below recognitions checked. If there are some misunderstandings, would you mind pointing out and showing the explanations or the related technical documents?

1. When the users want to run the converter, he or she should operate the 2 variables, Buck0_Boost1 and start_converter. Also, no more variables except for Buck0_Boost1 and start_converter are not needed to be operated by the user.
2. The users can change the buck mode and the boost mode of the converter by changing the value of Buck0_Boost1. If 0 is set, it works in the buck mode. If 1 is set, it works in the boost mode.
3. The users can change the work mode and the stop mode of the converter by changing the value of start_converter. If 0 is set, the converter stops. If 1 is set, the converter works.

Also, I’d like to know the below contents.

1. As you said, the design guide indicates the steps which the users need take to make the converter work. I think that only the steps to change the 2 kinds of mode operations, the buck mode and the boost mode, and the work mode and the stop mode, with PC and the users’ operations are shown. Is it possible to change these modes through remote controls or remote communications? If the methods exist, I’d like to know them or the related technical documents.
2. You said that I will need to modify the code if I wish it to start without human intervention. Is the way how to modify the code shown in the design guide or any other technical materials? If it is not written in them and you know it, would you mind explaining it?

I appreciate that you keep supporting me kindly.

Best Regards,

Takumi

Hello Takumi,

In the reference design, the user has to also set Gui_VlvSet to specify the output voltage target in buck mode and Gui_VhvSet to set the output voltage target in boost mode. I think you are leaving this part out.

If you want the converter to start/stop and be able to switch between buck & boost mode, and you are ok with having a fixed/default output voltage target in boost and buck mode, then I think one simple option is to use some GPIO and user switch for this. Both HW and SW would need to be modified to add this functionality. In the code there is a small state machine which runs several background tasks a different rates, you could add your GPIO polling code to C task, for example. The polling code would modify Buck0_Boost1 and start_converter based on GPIO state. In this simple approach, you would fix the Gui_VlvSet & Gui_VhvSet to the default value you want for your application. I'd recommend using an LED to indicate fault status (over voltage/current).

If you want something more advanced, like being able to dynamically control the application from a PC without using JTAG or CCS, then you could add some communication/command layer to the code which would export/import these command variables through something like UART. The F28035 controlCARD does have an Isolated RS-232 interface which could work well for this purpose. You could add your communication code to C task, for example. This is not implemented in the code.

These are only suggestions. This is not implemented. 

Dear Gus,

Thank you for replying many times.

I’m sorry, but I forgot to recognize the parameters, Gui_VlvSet and Gui_VhvSet. Thank you for pointing it out.

Based on your opinion and the contents written in the design guide, I have 4 questions about the communication with the converter. Would you mind checking them?

1. I recognize that the user could use USB, JTAG, UART, and CAN for the communication with the converter by modifying the code. Is it correct?
2. I recognize that the user can use the above communication methods for the remote control of the converter by modifying the code. Is it correct?
3. Are there examples of any devices except for PC to control the converter remotely?
4. Is the function of the constant current control applied with the converter?

I appreciate your every support.

Best Regards,

Takumi

Dear Gus,

Thank you for replying.

I’d like to refer to your information for proceeding the prototyping.

I appreciate your every support.

Best Regards,
Takumi

Takumi, let me know if there is any additional question.

Dear Gus,

Thank you for giving the warm words.

I’m considering the way to prototype the converter now.

I assume that I may be going to face on problems from now on, too.

I’d like to ask questions again then.

Thank you for everything.

Best Regards,

Takumi

Sure, just open another thread with the new questions.