Nordic PCA63511 User manual

Power Profiler Kit
v1.1.0
User Guide
4425_027 / 2021-02-26

Contents
Revision history.................................. iv
1Introduction................................... 5
2Minimum requirements............................ 6
3Kit content.................................... 7
3.1 Hardware content ................................ 7
3.2 Downloadable content .............................. 7
4Quick start.................................... 8
5Hardware description.............................. 9
5.1 Measurement system ............................... 9
5.1.1 Block diagram ................................ 9
5.1.2 Power supply ................................ 9
5.1.3 Measurement ranges and switch levels ..................... 10
5.1.4 DUT output .................................10
5.1.5 EEPROM .................................. 11
5.2 Connectors ...................................11
5.3 Switches .................................... 12
6Configuring the PPK.............................. 15
6.1 Optimizing measurement accuracy ......................... 15
6.1.1 Power Profiler Kit use with nRF5 DK ...................... 15
6.1.2 Current measurement on external DUTs ..................... 15
6.2 Connecting the Power Profiler Kit to an nRF5 DK ................... 16
6.3 Measuring current on an nRF5 DK ......................... 16
6.4 Measuring current on an nRF5 DK while debugging .................. 17
6.5 Measuring current on custom hardware with an nRF5 DK ............... 18
6.6 Measuring current on custom hardware without an nRF5 DK .............. 19
7Connecting the PPK to a computer..................... 21
8Installing the Power Profiler app....................... 22
9Using the Power Profiler app......................... 23
9.1 Views ..................................... 23
9.1.1 Data logger view .............................. 23
9.1.2 Real-time view ............................... 24
10 Electrical specifications............................ 25
10.1 Environmental specifications ........................... 25
10.2 Power supply specifications ........................... 25
10.3 Measurement specifications ........................... 25
10.3.1 Maximum DUT admissible current .......................25
10.3.2 Measurement resolution ...........................26
10.3.3 Measurement accuracy ........................... 26
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11 Troubleshooting................................ 27
Glossary ..................................... 28
Acronyms and abbreviations............................29
Recommended reading.............................. 30
Legal notices................................... 31
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Revision history
Date Description
2021-02-26 • Updated Using the Power Profiler app on page 23
• Updated Figure 4: Block diagram on page 9
• Added Views on page 23
• Editorial changes
September 2019 Updated Installing the Power Profiler app on page 22
May 2019 Updated Installing the Power Profiler app on page 22
March 2019 Changed content to reflect support for external SEGGER J-Link debuggers
June 2018 Updated the content to clarify that when using a standalone SEGGER J-Link
debugger, v1.1 of the Python-based PPK software must be used
March 2018 The following content was corrected:
•Quick start on page 8
•Troubleshooting on page 27
March 2018 Updated due to new software
July 2017 Updated to match PPK v1.1.0
Settings window updated:
• A new tab added, see Using the Power Profiler app on page 23
• Logging feature added, see File menu options
Updated:
• Installing Power Profiler Kit software package
•Troubleshooting on page 27
October 2016 First release
Previous versions
Power Profiler Kit User Guide v1.1 (application software not supported)
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1Introduction
The Power Profiler Kit (PPK) is an affordable, flexible tool that measures the real-time power consumption
of your designs.
The PPK measures power consumption for a connected nRF5 DK or any external board. It measures
current from 1 μA to 70 mA and gives a detailed picture of the current profile for the user application.
The PPK can be used in conjunction with the nRF5 DK to measure current on the nRF5 DK or on an
external board. The hardware is delivered with an application that is installed using nRF Connect for
Desktop. There are several measurement configurations, which are described in this user guide.
Key features
• Variable power supply voltage ranging from 1.8 V to 3.6 V (software configurable)
• Maximum 70 mA current measurement
• Resolution down to 0.2 µA
• Automatic switching between three current measurement ranges ensuring optimal resolution
• Measurement accuracy better than ±20 % (average currents measurement)
• Desktop application for measurement analysis
• Real-time current measurement display
• Recording display up to two minutes
• Real-time display with a resolution down to 13 µs
• Internal/external trigger
Applications
• Quick power consumption measurements on a firmware running on an nRF5 DK or an external board
• Accumulative measurements, such as average, peak, maximum
• Instantaneous measurements presented as waveform plots
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2Minimum requirements
Before you start setting up the PPK, check that you have the required hardware and software.
Hardware requirements
• USB cable
• nRF5 DK or a standalone SEGGER J-Link debugger
Software requirements
• One of the following operating systems:
• Microsoft Windows 8 or 10
• macOS
• Linux
•nRF Connect for Desktop
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3Kit content
The PPK includes hardware and access to software components, reference design files, and
documentation.
3.1 Hardware content
The PPK hardware content consists of the PPK board PCA63511.
Figure 1: PPK board (PCA63511)
3.2 Downloadable content
The downloadable content for PPK consists of hardware files and this user guide.
You can download the hardware files from the Power Profiler Kit product page.
The hardware zip file contains the following files for the PCA63511 board:
• Altium Designer files
• Production files (bill of materials and assembly, drill, Gerber, and pick-and-place files)
• PCB layout files and schematics in PDF format
You also need nRF Connect for Desktop.
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4Quick start
Complete a few steps to set up your PPK. The PPK is connected to an nRF5 DK (not included in the
package).
In this quick start, the PPK measures current on the nRF5 DK, which also acts as a power supply and sends
data to the Power Profiler app.
1. Prepare the nRF5 DK for current measurements. See the following user guides for more information:
•Preparing the development kit board in the nRF51 DK User Guide
•Preparing the nRF52 DK
•Preparing the nRF52840 DK
2. Connect the PPK to the Development Kit (DK).
Figure 2: Connecting the PPK to the DK
3. Connect the DK to a computer using a USB cable.
Figure 3: Typical configuration for measuring current on the DK
4. Set the switches on the PPK as shown in the figure above.
5. Install the Power Profiler app from nRF Connect for Desktop as described in Installing the Power
Profiler app on page 22.
6. Start the Power Profiler app as described in Using the Power Profiler app on page 23.
The PPK is now ready to use.
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5Hardware description
The PPK contains connectors and measurement components.
5.1 Measurement system
The PPK is driven by the nRF52832 System on Chip (SoC), which uses its analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
to measure a voltage drop over a series of measurement resistors. Resistor values are used to calculate
the power consumption. The PPK has three different measurement ranges, which are managed by an
automatic switch circuitry.
To send the data to the desktop application, the nRF52832 SoC on the PPK uses the SEGGER RTT (Real-
Time Transfer). By connecting the PPK to an nRF5 DK, the SEGGER J-Link debug probe available on the
nRF5 DK can be used for the computer connection. Alternatively, an external SEGGER J-Link debugger can
be used.
5.1.1 Block diagram
The PPK block diagram illustrates the overall system and connections between the various blocks.
LEDs
nRF52832
Automatic
switch circuitry
DUT power switch
EEPROM
External
trigger
Power select
switch (SW4)
Voltage regulator
1.8-3.6 V
(software controlled)
Debug in connector
DK interface
USB
External supply
1.8-3.6 V
DUT select
switch (SW2)
External DUT
connector
COM switch
(SW3)
Measurement
circuitry
Data
Trigger
signal
SWD
Control
DUT power
SWD
DUT power
Supply
5 V power supply
VDD
Supply
Figure 4: Block diagram
5.1.2 Power supply
There are three power supply options for the PPK digital logic and for the Device Under Test (DUT).
The power supply options are:
• DK interface
• PPK onboard voltage regulator
• External supply
The power supply is selected using the power select switch (SW4).
The PPK onboard voltage regulator is supplied by the 5 V USB power supply. Its output can be adjusted
between 1.8 – 3.6 V through the Power Profiler app.
If an external power supply is used, the voltage is applied directly to the circuits without regulation. This
voltage must be limited to the 1.8 – 3.6 V range.
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Hardware description
When the DK is selected as the power supply, the DK supplies the PPK circuitry.
The analog part of the automatic switch circuitry requires a 5 V power supply. When the PPK is connected
to an nRF5 DK, the 5 V is supplied by the DK. When the PPK is used standalone, a USB cable has to be
connected to supply the 5 V required by the circuitry.
5.1.3 Measurement ranges and switch levels
To achieve a high measurement dynamic range, the PPK features three calibrated parallel measurement
means realizing the three measurement ranges simultaneously. An automatic range switching mechanism
always selects the correct measurement range depending on the instantaneous current drawn by the DUT.
If your DUT has a power consumption that is close to an automatic switching level, it can cause rapid
switching between the ranges, creating measurement errors and distorted plots. A hysteresis is applied at
the switching point in order to avoid distorted measurements as shown in the following figure.
There are four switch levels:
Switch up LOW
Switches up from low to medium range
Switch up HIGH
Switches up from medium to high range
Switch down HIGH
Switches down from high to medium range
Switch down LOW
Switches down from medium to low range
Figure 5: Measurement ranges and switch levels
5.1.4 DUT output
For DUT output, the PPK supports two modes of operation that are selected using the DUT select switch
(SW2).
The two modes of operation are:
• Measuring current on the nRF5 DK device
• Supplying power and measuring current on an external board
The DUT can be turned on and off using the Enable power output toggle in the Power Profiler app.
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Hardware description
Figure 6: Enable power output in the Power Profiler app v3.1.0
5.1.5 EEPROM
On the PPK, there is an EEPROM memory connected to the nRF52832 SoC. The EEPROM is used to store
calibration data.
5.2 Connectors
Access to the PPK is available from a set of connectors.
The PPK has five connectors on the top side:
• Two connectors for the power supply:
•P16 to connect an external device under test (DUT)
•J1 for the USB
•P22 for connecting the custom/external hardware
•P20 for connecting an external trigger
•P21 connector for connecting an external SEGGER J-Link
Figure 7: PPK connectors
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Hardware description
The connectors on the bottom side are for connecting the PPK to an nRF5 DK , which supplies both data
interface and power to the PPK.
Connector Description
External 5 V power supply input
(USB; J1)
This USB connector on the PPK supplies the onboard analog
measurement circuitry and the onboard regulator with 5 V
provided by a USB host.
This connector is used when the PPK is used standalone or any
time the USB on the nRF5 DK is not connected.
Note: When used with an nRF5 DK with USB connection,
this connector must not be used.
External DUT output (P16) The External DUT connector provides power to the DUT.
External DUT supply input (P22) A lab power supply from 1.8 to 3.6 V can be connected here to
provide precise control of the voltage.
External trigger (P20) This connector allows you to:
• Feed an external trigger to the PPK (15 V max)
• Have the PPK send a trigger signal to external instruments
The voltage of the TRIG OUT pin can be configured by the TRIG REF
on the PPK board which has the following options:
• VDD: default
• 5 V: cut SB7 and solder SB8
• External voltage: cut SB7 and SB8 (if shorted) and connect to
TP5 (EXT)
External SEGGER J-Link (P21)Used to connect an external SEGGER J-Link for communicating with
the desktop application when:
• The PPK is used standalone
• The SEGGER J-Link on the nRF5 DK is used for debugging of the
nRF5 chip on the DK
If this connector is in use and the PPK is connected to an nRF5 DK,
the COM switch (SW3) must be in the EXT position to disconnect
the PPK from the SEGGER J-Link on the DK. How to connect and use
is described in Table 2: PPK switches on page 13.
Table 1: PPK connectors
5.3 Switches
Use the switches on the PPK to select either the DUT on which current is measured, the power supply, or
the SEGGER J-Link connection.
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Hardware description
Figure 8: PPK switches
Switch Description
DUT select (SW2)Selects if the measurements are performed on the nRF5 DK or on an external/
custom hardware.
Options:
•DK: The measurements are performed on the nRF5 DK.
•External: The measurements are performed on the external/custom hardware
connected to the External DUT (P16) connector.
Power select (SW4)Selects the power source for the PPK and DUT.
Options:
•DK: The power source is the nRF5 DK. Used when measuring current on the
nRF5 DK (that is, when the DUT select switch is in the DK position).
•Reg.: The power source is the onboard regulator powering the PPK and
the external DUT. Used when measuring current on the external/custom
hardware (that is, when the DUT select (SW2) switch is in the External
position).
•External: An external power supply is the power source connected to the
External DUT supply (P22) connector of the PPK.
Note:
• The Power Profiler app can be used to adjust the power supply voltage
only when the Power select (SW4) switch is in the Reg. position, that
is, when the power is supplied by the PPK onboard regulator.
• It is not recommended to use the PPK onboard regulator (SW4 in the
Reg. position) when measuring current on the nRF5 DK unless the
PPK onboard regulator voltage exactly matches the nRF5 DK voltage.
Otherwise, current leakage may occur and lead to erroneous current
readings.
The voltage is usually somewhere between 2.9 V and 3 V. To be sure,
it is recommended to measure the DK voltage. This configuration,
although possible, is not recommended.
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Hardware description
Switch Description
COM (SW3)This switch selects the SEGGER J-Link connection.
Options:
•DK: The SEGGER J-Link on the nRF5 DK is used.
•EXT: An external SEGGER J-Link is used and connected to the Debug in (P21)
connector. This will disconnect the PPK from the SEGGER J-Link on the nRF5
DK.
Note:
• To program the DUT on the DK, the switch must be in the EXT position.
When programming with the switch in the DK position, the PPK will be
programmed.
• When the PPK uses the nRF5 DK SEGGER J-Link, it cannot be used to
debug the nRF5 SoC on the DK at the same time. To debug the nRF5 DK
SoC on the DK, set the COM (SW3) switch to the EXT position.
Table 2: PPK switches
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6Configuring the PPK
Different configuration setups and methods for measuring current can be used for the PPK.
To configure the PPK, complete the following steps:
1. Adjust measurement accuracy as described in Optimizing measurement accuracy on page 15.
2. Choose a use case and implement a configuration for the PPK. The options are presented in the
following table.
Use case Configuration setup/measurement method
Design phase, no custom
hardware
Measuring current on an nRF5 DK on page 16.
Design and optimization phase,
no custom hardware, with
debugging
Measuring current on an nRF5 DK while debugging on page 17.
Measuring current on custom hardware with an nRF5 DK on page
18.
Design phase, using external/
custom hardware
Measuring current on custom hardware without an nRF5 DK on
page 19.
Table 3: PPK use cases
6.1 Optimizing measurement accuracy
When measuring current with the PPK, some adjustments are needed to optimize the measurement
accuracy. The nRF5 DK must be prepared for the measurement.
6.1.1 Power Profiler Kit use with nRF5 DK
When the PPK is used with an nRF5 DK, it is recommended to use the Power select (SW4) switch in the DK
position.
It is not recommended to use the PPK onboard regulator as the power source (the Power select switch
(SW4) in the Reg. position) as this may lead to erroneous current readings.
Note: If you want to improve the USB noise filtering, you need to use the PPK onboard regulator as
the power source. Make sure that the PPK regulator voltage exactly matches the nRF5 DK voltage.
Otherwise, current leakage may occur and lead to erroneous current readings.
6.1.2 Current measurement on external DUTs
When measuring current on external devices, it is important to keep in mind that large filtering capacitors,
which may be present on the DUT circuit, will smooth out the variations in power consumption.
This yields a good result for the average power consumption, but the short current bursts will be filtered
out and the plot might differ from what you see on the measurements done on the nRF5 DK during
development.
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Configuring the PPK
You must include decoupling capacitors to ensure correct operation of the devices. However, as a good
practice, keep extra decoupling capacitors to a minimum when measuring detailed current draw.
6.2 Connecting the Power Profiler Kit to an nRF5 DK
For all of the PPK configurations, except when the PPK is running standalone, the PPK needs to be
connected to the nRF5 DK.
Connect your PPK to the nRF5 DK as shown in the following figure.
Figure 9: Connecting the PPK to the nRF5 DK
6.3 Measuring current on an nRF5 DK
You can use this setup during the design phase when custom hardware is not yet available.
For the PPK, this is a typical configuration that allows quick setup and current measurements in reference
applications from the SDK or in custom applications.
In this case, the connection to the Power Profiler app is provided by the SEGGER J-Link on the nRF5 DK
with a power supply applied on the DK. The configuration for this use case is shown in the following figure.
Figure 10: Measuring current on the nRF5 DK
Make sure that the following are configured:
• The PPK is connected to the nRF5 DK as described in Connecting the Power Profiler Kit to an nRF5 DK
on page 16.
• The DUT select switch (SW2) is in the DK position.
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Configuring the PPK
• The Power select switch (SW4) is in the DK position.
• The COM switch (SW3) is in the DK position.
• The USB cable is plugged into the USB connector on the nRF5 DK and connected to a computer with
the Power Profiler app.
6.4 Measuring current on an nRF5 DK while debugging
This setup is to be used during the design and optimization phase when no custom hardware is available
yet. The SEGGER J-Link debugger on the nRF5 DK is used for debugging.
Because the SEGGER J-Link of the nRF5 DK is used for debugging, an additional SEGGER J-Link is needed to
connect the PPK to your computer. This could be either another nRF5 DK with an onboard SEGGER J-Link
or a standalone SEGGER J-Link which can be purchased separately from SEGGER J-Link Software.
The configuration for this use case is shown in the following figure.
Figure 11: Measuring current on the nRF5 DK with debugging
Make sure that the following are configured:
• The PPK is connected to the nRF5 DK board as described in Connecting the Power Profiler Kit to an
nRF5 DK on page 16.
• The DUT select switch (SW2) is in the DK position.
• The Power select switch (SW4) is in the DK position.
• The USB cable is plugged into the USB connector on the nRF5 DK and connected to a computer running
the debugging software.
• The additional SEGGER J-Link is connected to the Debug in connector (P21) on the PPK, using the 10-
pin flat cable. The USB cable is plugged into the SEGGER J-Link and connected to a computer running
the Power Profiler app.
• The COM switch (SW3) is in the EXT position.
Note: Power consumption may be higher for devices during debugging than in normal operation.
The difference depends on what is active at any given time. This is caused by the clocking of
the debug interface and constantly powering sections of the device that are independent of the
operation of the part. When debugging, accurate power consumption cannot be measured, but
software issues can be detected.
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Configuring the PPK
6.5 Measuring current on custom hardware with an
nRF5 DK
This setup is to be used during the design phase on custom hardware acting as the device under test (DUT)
with the nRF5 DK.
In this use case, the PPK measures the current on the external DUT. The PPK is connected to the nRF5 DK
which is used as a SEGGER J-Link interface to the computer running the Power Profiler app.
The power supply is provided either by the PPK onboard regulator, or an external power source (see the
following figures).
The power supply is applied to the nRF5 DK, which in turn powers the PPK board. This is used to supply
power to the onboard analog measurement circuitry and the onboard regulator with 5 V. This will supply
the external DUT when using the onboard regulator. If an external power source is used to supply the
custom hardware, the USB connection will still be needed to supply the measurement circuitry of the PPK.
Figure 12: Measuring current on custom hardware with the
onboard regulator as the power source and the nRF5 DK
Figure 13: Measuring current on custom hardware with an external power source and the nRF5 DK
Make sure that the following are configured:
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Configuring the PPK
• The PPK is connected to the nRF5 DK board as described in Connecting the Power Profiler Kit to an
nRF5 DK on page 16.
• The USB cable is plugged into the USB connector on the nRF5 DK and connected to a computer running
the Power Profiler app.
• The DUT select switch (SW2) is in the External position.
• The custom hardware is connected to the External DUT connector (P16) of the PPK.
• The power source is one of the following:
• The PPK onboard regulator: Set the Power select switch (SW4) in the Reg. position.
• External power supply: In addition to the USB cable plugged into the nRF5 DK, make sure that the
external power is connected to the External DUT supply connector (P22) of the PPK (voltage range
from 1.8 V to 3.6 V). Set the Power select switch (SW4) in the External position.
• The COM switch (SW3) is in the DK position.
6.6 Measuring current on custom hardware without an
nRF5 DK
This setup is to be used during the design phase on custom hardware without using the nRF5 DK.
The power supply is provided either by the PPK onboard regulator or an external power source (see the
following figures).
The External 5V supply USB connector (J1) of the PPK is used to supply power to the onboard analog
measurement circuitry and the onboard regulator with 5 V. This will supply the custom hardware (DUT). If
an external power source is used to supply the custom hardware, the USB connection will still be needed
to supply the measurement circuitry of the PPK.
Figure 14: Measuring current with the onboard regulator as the power source without an nRF5 DK
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Configuring the PPK
Figure 15: Measuring current with an external power source without an nRF5 DK
Make sure that the following are configured:
• The DUT select switch (SW2) is in the External position.
• The custom hardware (DUT) is connected to the External DUT connector (P16) of the PPK.
• The power source is one of the following:
• The PPK onboard regulator: Make sure that a USB cable with power is plugged into the External 5V
supply USB connector (J1) of the PPK. Set the Power select switch (SW4) in the Reg. position.
• External power supply: In addition to the USB cable plugged into the External 5V supply USB
connector (J1), make sure that the external power is connected to the External DUT supply
connector (P22) of the PPK (voltage range from 1.8 V to 3.6 V). Set the Power select switch (SW4) in
the External position.
• The additional SEGGER J-Link is connected to the Debug in connector (P21) on the PPK using the 10-pin
flat cable. The USB cable is plugged into the SEGGER J-Link and connected to a computer running the
Power Profiler app.
• The COM switch (SW3) is in the EXT position.
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