Introduction
Who
Reserved for Kevin Li co-op student
Robert Tang doing the engineering
high level architecture defined by Daniel Puratich
What
Buck Converter
6S LiHv input
27V absolute max on LiHv
5V output voltage
rpp
Kind of nice because autonomy software people like to use this hardware
5 A output current
30.5x30.5 mount pattern
usb-c (for rpi) and jst (for pixhawk) output conns
USB-C connects to the raspberry pi easily, can copy circuit from 12V->5V @ 5A Buck Converter Board
Pixhawk standard connector for POWERx style port so this can be used as a redundant supply
To be clear, both of these output connectors should be present. Only one will be used in any given system though (so both should be sized on the PCB to handle the full 5 A of current).
xt30 input connector or just solderpads for input
both in library already (2.54mm pitch solderpads)
if solderpads are used, give space for epoxy so we can strain relieve
clear polarity label would be nice if solderpads are used
Why
Powering the Raspberry Pi 5 for https://uwarg-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ARCHS22/pages/2556133415/Fixed+Wing+2025?search_id=772ded46-862b-41b6-8115-093586821d0d if we decide we want to mount the RPi into this system and dont want to use https://uwarg-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/EL/pages/2701197313/RPi+Interface+Rev+C?search_id=b1053a4c-4ec7-47de-9489-d50daf49510a&additional_analytics=queryHash---7d2c48e78a27d21f150b620681696259928cd14daa6e640c84eaf507c582ec26 . Currently there is no plan to do this but it is nice. Ground testing power supply for the raspberry pi is also a use case, but 12V->5V @ 5A Buck Converter Board kind of accomplishes this already.
Redundant Pixhawk power supply for https://uwarg-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ARCHS22/pages/2556133415/Fixed+Wing+2025?search_id=772ded46-862b-41b6-8115-093586821d0d . See https://docs.px4.io/main/en/flight_controller/pixhawk6x.html for details.
Engineering
Robert Tang to fill out when the time comes
Background Knowledge
Buck Converter
DC-DC Step-down voltage regulator.
Components:
Source (Vin)
Switch
Usually a MOSFET, because manually switching on/off the switch is tooo slow
Diode
In synchronous buck converter, a second MOSFET is added
Inductor
Stores and release energy (as current)
Capacitor
Smooth the voltage output
Calculating the conversion factor in CCM
*In this application we are only interested in Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM), where essentially i_L is larger than 0 for all time during CCM.
Some assumptions to be made before the calculation:
Assume CCM
Average steady state (Over period, the average values will be constant)
Vin and Vout constant with respect to time
Diodes and FETs are ideal
The calculation:
When the switch is on, during a time T_on the circuit looks like the following, where the diode acts like a open circuit (because of the reverse polarity).
The Inductor voltage, and the rate of change of current through the inductor can be tested using the following equation, their graphs are also shown.
When the switch is off, (after T_on) for a time T_offthe diode acts like a wire, and the voltage source (Vin) is replaced by an open circuit, the inductor is supplying current to the rest of the circuit.
Here the inductor voltage and the current will change
Combine the two we can get the graphs for the change in inductor voltage and current over a period T, and we also know that T_on+T_off=T
Since we have assumed 'average steady state', which implies that the change in current are the same, so we can equate the two changes in current
Finally we get the transfer function Vout/Vin=D, the duty cycle
As for how to design a buck converter, I referred to Kevin’s documentation on bucker converter IC Buck Converters
Synchronous Buck Converter
For maximum efficiency the buck converter we selected will be synchronous, with a little bit of research, I discovered that the main difference is that the diode is replaced/connected in parallel with another FET. The turning on and turning off of the switch is controlled by the on/off of the two FETs.
The benefit for that is the increased efficiency and reduced diode loss (R_dson*I_d<Vf*I)
Power losses
Inductors: has DC Resistance (DCR) loss, P_L=I_0^2*R_ESR
Diode: forward voltage drop (note that it is only conducting for (1-D)*T seconds) P_D=I_0*V_f*(1-D)
MOSFET: 1. Conduction loss, P_Cond=I_0^2*R_ds*D
2. Switching loss, P_sw=[V_ds*I_0*(t_on+t_off)]/2T_s
Component selection
Buck Converter IC
This is the most important part, once we have selected the IC we can select other components (inductors, capacitors, resistors) based off the specs of the IC.
Since we are converting from 24V to 5V, we need to consider a buck converter IC with: maximum input voltage larger than 24V; output voltage adjustable/fixed at 5V; rated output voltage should be larger than 5A; if possible the switching frequency should be a wide range; step-down, buck converter only (no buck-boost).
After applying all of the above constraints to DigiKey search query, my options came down to around 30 ICs, at first I was only considering TI’s IC, and the main IC are the LMR and TPS series. After I enlarge my options to other manufacturers, I found other good chips. Applying more close constraints and looking at the Datasheets more carefully, it comes down to 2 options:
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/texas-instruments/LM61480RPHR/15853851With this chip, the footprint configuration looks really complicated, other than that there is no critical weakness of this IC
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/monolithic-power-systems-inc/MP2491CGQB-Z/11620339The only problem with this chip, is that the switching frequency is fixed, that may cause some problems when selecting Inductors, luckily, after calculation I can source pretty good inductors based on the fixed frequency, so in the end I chose the MP2491CGQB-Z chip
Inductor
From the data sheet the design requirements of the inductors is that:
DC current rating 25% larger than output current (5A)
DC Resistance should be smaller thatn 15mOhms
I_sat (Saturation current) should be larger or equal to high side switch current
The current ripple can be calculated in the following equation
And the value of inductor can be calculated using the following equation, substitute in all the values.
I chose standardize inductor values, and calculate the K backwards (4.7uH, 5.1uH, 5.6uH, 6.2uH)
Inductance | 4.7uH | 5.1uH | 5.6uH | 6.2uH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
K value | 0.343 | 0.316 | 0.288 | 0.26 |
Based on that, I started looking on Digikey for the different inductors. The constraints are that inductors should be shielded, and with current rating and saturation current around 7-10A.
5.6uH:
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/sumida-america-inc/177CDMCCDS-470MC/9490436 *if set K=0.35, but still bigggg
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/vishay-dale/IHLP6767GZER560M11/2139396
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/pulse-electronics/PA4344-563NLT/5641842
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/codaca/VSAB1770-560M/16731527
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/coilcraft/XGL1010-563MED/21381839 *Seems to be the best one but not available on DigiKey
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/shenzhen-sunlord-electronics-co-ltd/MWSA1206S-470MT/14120328 *set at 0.35, relatively smaller
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/bourns-inc/SRP1265A-470M/4876628 *0.35, smaller (the above one is the smallest available)
4.7uH:
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/bourns-inc/SRP6060FA-4R7M/9351055
*The rated current and isat are a little bit high, small size (6mmx6mm) (1.86)
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/abracon-llc/ASPIAIG-F6060-4R7M-T/20096290
*Rated:10, isat:9A, small size (1.57)
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/w%C3%BCrth-elektronik/744314490/1638566
*4.9uH actually, small size, 6.5A/6.5A, higher price (3.8)
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/w%C3%BCrth-elektronik/7443340470/3476751
*8mm*7mm, 7.5A/8A, 2.14
The final selected inductor is https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/w%C3%BCrth-elektronik/7443340470/3476751