Hi,
I'd like to do some energy/power measurements on the Boost converter onboard the DA14580, to see if it's worthwhile in our application to use a high efficiency external boost converter (from alkaline). In order to measure the DA14580, am I correct to say that only the Expert kit (not Pro or Basic kits) even has an option to use the DC-DC converter in boost mode?
A second question - there are very few specifications on the boost converter on the DA14580. I'm using some extremely small cells with similar voltages as alkaline cells, and current during standby is important. I have seen very little specifications other than an efficiency number, which I assume is only valid during heavy loads (10 mA of current). Are there any numbers on boost converter efficiency during those standby and lower power states? I do see some numbers in the datasheet, which look rather impressive compared to external regulators, but I vaguely recall running into a post saying that they did not include boost converter losses, or something of that sort, so I just wanted to confirm what the actual values are.
Thanks!
Samson
Hi samsonc,
Yes, only the expert kits had provision of accepting this kind of modification, neither the basic or the pro kit have this kind of option.
The DCDC is shut down during the low power mode (sleep).
Thanks MT_dialog
Thank you!
Oh, interesting. So under sleep the device can still operate with a voltage of <1.4 volts without DC-DC?
Hi samsonc,
Yes the DCDC either in buck or boost mode configuration will be shut down during sleep and the device will operate with the battery voltage.
Thanks MT_dialog
Hi,
Actually, I started to try to purchase the expert kit - and noticed that it's listed as obsolete and pretty much not available at any current distributors. Is there another way I can obtain the board directly?
Thank you!
Hi samsonc,
Unfortunatelly there is no way to obtain the Expert Kit, since is not available any more, only the basic and the pro dev kits are on the market, which dont have provision for Boost configuration modifications.
Thanks MT_dialog