Texas Instruments INA232EVM User manual

User’s Guide
INA232EVM, INA234EVM and INA236EVM
ABSTRACT
This user’s guide describes the characteristics, operation, and use of the INA232, INA234 and INA236
evaluation modules (EVMs). These EVMs are designed to evaluate the performance of the INA232, INA234 and
INA236. Throughout this document, the terms evaluation board, evaluation module, and EVM are synonymous
with the INA232EVM, INA234EVM and INA236EVM. This document includes a schematic, reference printed
circuit board (PCB) layouts, and a complete bill of materials (BOM).
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Table of Contents
1 Trademarks..............................................................................................................................................................................2
2 Overview..................................................................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Kit Contents........................................................................................................................................................................3
2.2 Related Documentation From Texas Instruments.............................................................................................................. 4
3 Hardware................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
3.1 Features............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
4 Operation.................................................................................................................................................................................5
4.1 Quick Start Setup............................................................................................................................................................... 5
4.2 EVM Operation...................................................................................................................................................................5
5 Circuitry................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
5.1 Current Sensing IC...........................................................................................................................................................19
5.2 Input Signal Path..............................................................................................................................................................19
5.3 Digital Circuitry................................................................................................................................................................. 19
6 Schematics, PCB Layout, and Bill of Materials................................................................................................................. 20
6.1 Schematics.......................................................................................................................................................................20
6.2 PCB Layout...................................................................................................................................................................... 23
6.3 Bill of Materials.................................................................................................................................................................25
7 Revision History................................................................................................................................................................... 27
1 Trademarks
Chrome™ is a trademark of Google LLC.
Firefox™ is a trademark of Mozilla Foundation.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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2 Overview
The INA23x devices are digital power monitors with integrated 16-bit (INA232, INA236) and 12-bit (INA234)
delta-sigma ADCs specifically designed for current-sensing applications. The devices can measure a selectable
full-scale differential input of ±81.92 mV or ±20.48 mV across the shunt with common-mode voltage support
from –0.3 V to +48 V (–0.3 V to +28 V for INA234). The built-in digital accumulation calculates average power
and current if calibration register is programmed. The INA23x devices also have built-in diagnostics to indicate
system health accessible through a digital output pin, ALERT. The output can be interfaced with a multitude of
micro controllers (MCUs) with a standard I2C interface.
Table 2-1. Device Summary
PRODUCT
DIGITAL
PROTOCOL
ADC
RESOLUTION
MAX GAIN
ERROR
MAX OFFSET
VOLTAGE
INA232 I2C 16-bit 0.25% ±20 µV
INA234 I2C 12-bit 0.5% ±100 µV
INA236 I2C 16-bit 0.1% ±5 µV
2.1 Kit Contents
Table 2-2 lists the contents of the EVM kit. Contact the nearest Texas Instruments Product Information Center if
any component is missing.
Table 2-2. Kit Contents
ITEM QUANTITY
INA232EVM, INA234EVM OR
INA236EVM board
1
Note that this EVM requires the TI Sensor Control Board (SCB), which is sold separately.
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2.2 Related Documentation From Texas Instruments
This user's guide is available from the TI website under literature number SBOU264. Any letter appended to the
literature number corresponds to the document revision that is current at the time of the writing of this document.
Newer revisions are available from www.ti.com or the Texas Instruments' Literature Response Center at (800)
477-8924 or the Product Information Center at [phone]. When ordering, identify the document by both
title and literature number. Table 2-3 lists documentation related to the EVM. Click the links in Table 2-3 for
further information. The device name links to the product web folder on www.ti.com. The literature number links
to the document PDF.
Table 2-3. Related Documentation
DOCUMENT TITLE
DOCUMENT LITERATURE
NUMBER
INA232 data sheet SBOSAA2
INA234 data sheet SBOS844
INA236 data sheet SBOSA81
3 Hardware
The EVM is an easy-to-use platform for evaluating the main features and performance of the INA23x. The EVM
supports current measurements up to 10 amps, and includes a graphical user interface (GUI) used to read and
write device registers as well as view and save results data.
The EVM is intended to provide basic functional evaluation of the devices. The layout is not intended to be a
model for the target circuit, nor is it laid out for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing. The EVM consists of
two printed circuit boards (PCBs). The larger PCB is referred to as the EVM, and has either the INA23x installed.
The smaller PCB is referred to as the SCB Controller, and is used to interface the EVM with the GUI.
3.1 Features
• GUI support to read and write device registers as well as view and save results data
• EVM detached from SCB for custom use cases
• Conveniently powered from a common micro-USB connector through the SCB
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4 Operation
4.1 Quick Start Setup
The following instructions describe how to set up and use the EVM.
1. Purchase an SCB if you do not already have one.
2. Download this driver and install it as an administrator: https://www.ti.com/lit/zip/sbac253.
3. Attach the EVM to the SCB Controller as shown in Figure 4-1.
a. Refer to Figure 4-2 when connecting multiple EVMs of the same type together.
4. Connect the EVM to a PC using the provided USB cable.
a. Insert the micro USB cable into the SCB Controller onboard USB receptacle J2.
b. Plug the other end of the USB cable into a PC.
5. Click here to access the GUI in either the Chrome or Firefox browser.
6. Connect the GND reference of the external system to the GND node of the EVM (pin 1 of J1).
7. Provide a differential input voltage signal to the IN+ and IN– nodes by connecting the signal leads to J1 pin 5
or 6 and J1 pin 3 or 4 on the EVM as explained in Section 4.2.3.
4.2 EVM Operation
To use the EVM with the SCB Controller (sold separately), connect the EVM as shown in Figure 4-1.
Figure 4-1. EVM Connected to SCB Controller
If using multiple EVMs, connect them as shown in Figure 4-2. Make sure to use a different chip address for each
device. The GUI only supports one EVM/device type at a time.
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Figure 4-2. Multiple EVMs Connected to SCB Controller
4.2.1 Setup
4.2.1.1 Driver Installation
Download and install this driver: https://www.ti.com/lit/zip/sbac253. This is a one-time step per computer. Unzip
the folder and run the .exe file with administrator privileges.
4.2.1.2 Firmware
Firmware updates will be pushed through the GUI (requires previous driver to be installed). Downloaded offline
GUIs will only update the SCB Controller with the latest firmware available at the time of download. To check for
the latest GUI or Firmware updates, launch the GUI from the web browser.
4.2.1.2.1 Firmware Debug
If the firmware must be manually reinstalled for any reason, follow these steps to reinstall the firmware. Make
sure the EVM is connected to the SCB.
1. First, see if the GUI can program the firmware manually.
a. Plug in the SCB controller to the PC.
b. Launch the GUI.
c. It is possible that the MCU has already entered DFU mode. If so, the GUI may notify you and try to
update the firmware to the latest version.
d. If it does not update automatically, go to File > Program Device...
2. If that does not work (or if the Program Device button is grayed out), manually configure the MCU on the
SCB Controller to be in Device Firmware Update (DFU) Mode. This can be done through either of the below
methods with the SCB Controller powered on:
a. Through software:
• For safety, turn off and disconnect all load sources and external voltages.
• Send the command 'bsl' on the SCB's USB Serial (COM) port.
b. Though hardware:
• While shorting the two test points labeled "DFU" (shown in Figure 4-3) with a pair of tweezers (or
wire), press and release the RESET button.
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Figure 4-3. Test Points Used to Enter DFU Mode Manually
With the MCU in DFU mode, the firmware can now be uploaded through the method outlined in Step 1.
4.2.1.3 GUI Setup and Connection
Click here to access the GUI through either the Chrome™ or Firefox™ browser.
4.2.1.3.1 Initial Setup
To set up the GUI the first time:
1. Make sure that the previously mentioned driver was installed successfully to ensure that everything works
properly and that the GUI can update the EVM firmware, if necessary.
2. Check to make sure the EVM/SCB Controller unit is plugged into the PC, then go to the previously-provided
GUI link.
3. Click the GUI Composer application (Figure 4-4) to launch the GUI from the web browser.
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Figure 4-4. GUI Composer Application
a. Follow the prompts to download the TI Cloud Agent and browser extension shown in Figure 4-5 for the
first-time GUI Composer setup. These prompts will appear after you close the README.md dialog.
Figure 4-5. TI Cloud Agent
4. Optionally, click the icon in the GUI Composer application (Figure 4-4) and follow the prompts to
download the GUI for offline use.
4.2.1.3.2 GUI to EVM Connection
To operate the GUI, follow these steps:
1. Connect to and launch the GUI as described in Section 4.2.1.3.1.
2. Check to make sure that the EVM connected to the GUI, then close the README.md file page to initiate the
connection. If successful, the Hardware Connected message should be visible near the bottom-left corner
of the GUI as in Figure 4-6.
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Figure 4-6. Hardware Connected
a. A green indicator with the device type and the text DEVICE CONNECTED should also be visible near
the top-left of the GUI window, as shown in Figure 4-7.
Figure 4-7. Device Connected
b. If Hardware Connected and DEVICE CONNECTED do not show in the GUI, check the different
hardware COM ports under Options >> Serial Port, as shown in Figure 4-8.
Figure 4-8. Change Serial Port
c. If the hardware still does not connect, make sure you are using the correct GUI/EVM combination.
i. If you are using the correct GUI/EVM combination, you may need to reprogram the firmware of the
SCB, as described in Firmware Debug.
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4.2.2 GUI Operation
Set up, launch, and connect the GUI to the EVM per Section 4.2.1.3. Refer to the sections below for a
description on how to use each page of the GUI.
4.2.2.1 Homepage Tab
The GUI starts out on the homepage tab. Click the (Home) icon on the menu to the left to return to the
homepage tab at any time.
From the homepage, you can easily confirm successful GUI to EVM connection (see Section 4.2.1.3.2), as well
as access helpful resources through the buttons on the bottom (see Figure 4-9).
Figure 4-9. Home Tab Links
4.2.2.2 Configuration Tab
To do the initial setup for each connected EVM, click the (Configuration) icon on the menu to the left. Figure
4-10 shows an example of the configuration tool, which may change based on the device connected.
Figure 4-10. Configuration Tool
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