This user’s guide describes the operation of the evaluation module for the LP8756xQ1 multi-phase 4-core
step-down converter from Texas Instruments (TI). The LP8756xQ1 can be used in five different output
configurations, and this user’s guide includes all these five variants (see Table 1). The user’s guide also
provides design information including the schematic and bill of materials (BOM).
The LP8756xQ1EVM customer evaluation module demonstrates the integrated circuit LP8756xQ1 from TI.
The LP8756xQ1 is a high-performance, multi-phase step-down converter designed to meet the power
management requirements of the latest applications processors and platform needs in automotive
infotainment and cluster applications and also in automotive camera power applications. The device
contains four step-down converter cores, which are bundled together in all possible configurations
between single 4-phase buck converter and four single-phase buck converters. This document covers
user software provided with the EVM and design documentation that includes schematics and parts list.
PART NUMBEROUTPUT CONFIGURATIONNUMBER OF OUTPUTSEVM NUMBER
Many of the components on the LP8756xQ1 are susceptible to damage by electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Customers are advised to observe proper ESD handling precautions when unpacking and handling the
EVM, including the use of a grounded wrist strap at an approved ESD workstation.
Upon opening the LP8756xQ1EVM package, ensure that the following items are included:
If any of the items are missing, contact the closest Texas Instruments Product Information Center to
inquire about a replacement.
2.1Installing/Opening the Software
The EVM software is controlled through a graphical user interface (GUI). The software communicates with
the EVM through an available USB port. The minimum hardware requirements for the EVM software are:
•IBM PC-compatible computer running a Microsoft Windows® XP or newer operating system
•Available USB port
•Mouse
Software installation
1. Open the LP8756_installer.exe
2. Installer prompts to accept the license agreement (see Figure 2).
3. Installer prompts to choose which features of LP8756x Installer you want to install (see Figure 3).
4. Installer prompts to select Destination Folder (see Figure 4).
5. Press Install and the installation starts.
6. Installer prompts when installation is complete (see Figure 5).
Open the LP8756x GUI. Connect the EVM to the PC with the USB cable.
1. With the power supply disconnected from the unit under test (UUT), open LP8756EVM.exe located in
the directory selected during installation.
2. On the Evaluation SW window bottom right corner you should see text “Hardware connected.”. Refer
To power up the EVM, one power supply is needed. For full-load testing of the LP8756xQ1EVM, a DCpower supply capable of at least 10 A and 4 V is required. 5 A is suggested as a practical minimum for
partial load. The power supply is connected to the EVM using connector X1. The power supply and
cabling must present low impedance to the UUT; the length of power supply cables must be minimized.
Remote sense, using connector X3, can be used to compensate for voltage drops in the cabling.
With the power supply disconnected from the UUT, set the supply to 3.7 V DC and the current limit to 5 A
minimum. Set the power supply output OFF. Connect the power supply's positive terminal (+) to VIN and
negative terminal (–) to GND on UUT (X1 power-in terminal block). Check that jumpers on the boards are
set as shown in Figure 1 (factory default jumper configuration).
Set power supply output ON, and then continue with the following steps. Note that following steps is only
an example. Register values, enable control, mode and multiphase status may differ depending on the
LP8756xQ1EVM configuration.
1. On Evaluation software GUI, click on Assert NRST (see Figure 7).
2. Click on either of the two Read Registers buttons. You should see ready message on green
background next to the Read Registers button (see Figure 8).
3. Check that Buck0 is enabled (see Figure 9).
4. Click on Assert EN1 (see Figure 10).
5. Click on either of the two Read Registers buttons.
6. In this example case the GUI indicates "Disabled" under "Mode" until EN1 is asserted. After EN1 is
asserted "Mode" is changed to "Enabled". In case BUCKx is enabled or disabled with bit instead of
ENx pin, the "Mode" can be checked by reading registers. GUI indicates also "Master" under
"Multiphase status" of Buck 0. Mode of other bucks are "Disabled" and Multiphase status is "Slave to
Buck0". The EVM is now ready for testing with default register settings loaded.
Output Connections: An appropriate electronic load or high-power system source meter instrument,
specified for operation down to 500 mV, is desirable for loading the UUT. The maximum load current is
specified as 4 A per phase. Be sure to choose the correct wire size when attaching the electronic load. A
wire resistance that is too high will cause a voltage drop in the power distribution path which becomes
significant compared to the absolute value of the output voltage. Connect an electric load to X7, X8, X9
and/or X10. It is advised that, prior to connecting the load, it be set to sink 0 A to avoid power surges or
possible shocks.
Voltage drop across the PCB traces will yield inaccurate efficiency measurements. For the most accurate
voltage measurement at the EVM, use TP7 to measure the input voltage and X2 to measure the output
voltage.
To measure the current flowing to/from the UUT, use the current meter of the DC power supply/electric
load as long as it is accurate. Some power source ammeters may show offset of several milliamps and
thus will yield inaccurate efficiency measurements. In order to perform very accurate Iqmeasurements on
the UUT, disconnect input protective Zener diode D1 by removing the shunt J3 from the board. When
connected, this diode will cause some leakage, especially on high VIN voltages.
3GUI Overview
The evaluation software has the following tabs: Main, Config, and Advanced. The three tabs together
provide the user access to the whole register map of the LP8756x. Additional register control can be
obtained from Tools --> Direct Register Access.
www.ti.com
3.1Main Tab
The Main tab (see for example Figure 10) has the elemental controls for the EVM and provides a view to
the chip status. Starting from top, the main controls are:
•I2C mode or 4 Enable mode. If this states I2C mode, device is controlled with I2C. When this states
4EN mode, bucks are controlled with ENx pins.
•Assert NRST: This checkbox will assert high level to LP8756xQ1 NRST pin. This pin enables the chip
internal voltage reference and bias circuitry.
•Assert EN1: This checkbox will assert high level to LP8756xQ1 EN1 pin. Asserting EN1 may enable
the buck regulator(s) or switch to different output voltage level, depending on the register settings.
•Assert EN2: This checkbox will assert high level to LP8756xQ1 EN2 pin. Asserting EN2 may enable
the buck regulator(s) or switch to different output voltage level, depending on the register settings.
•Assert EN3: This checkbox will assert high level to LP8756xQ1 EN3 pin. Asserting EN3 may enable
the buck regulator(s) or switch to different output voltage level, depending on the register settings.
•Assert EN4: In 4 Enable mode, this checkbox will assert high level to LP8756x SCL pin, (alternative
function is EN4). Asserting EN4 may enable the buck regulator(s), depending on the register settings.
This checkbox is visible only when device is configured to 4 Enable Signal Mode.
•Assert SW Reset: To perform a complete SW reset to the chip, assert this checkbox. See the LP8756
datasheet for explanation of LP8756 reset scenarios.
NOTE: The recommended start-up sequence for LP8756xQ1 is to first assert NRST, then write all
needed configuration bits by using the GUI, and then enable buck regulator(s) by ENx pin or
EN_BUCKx bit.
The "Bucks" section provides status information and enable controls for all the 4 buck cores. On the left of
the section are the check-boxes for the buck enable bits. The "Mode" field provides information on each of
the buck core and can have any of the values given in Table 2:
The "Multiphase status" info field tells whether a buck core is configured as a master or a slave. The
"Current" field gives the result of the buck converter load current measurement operation. Output currents
of each buck core and total output current of master(s) are shown on the fields.
The "System Flags / Interrupts" section as well as the "Interrupt bits" and the "Status bits" sections give
data on system faults and warnings. If the interrupt is set for any reason the Interrupt active field shall
show ‘1’ on red background. The flag causing the interrupt will also be set on the Main tab. Interrupts on
LP8756xQ1 can only be cleared by writing '1’ to associated registers. Any individual flag can be cleared
by clicking the "Clear" button next to each flag field. Some of the flags also have a mask bits. If "Mask"
check-box of certain flag is checked, the interrupt is not generated. The "Status" bits will show the current
status of the faults.
The "Power Good" section is for Power Good pin control and indication. It includes the latched values of
buck Power Good Faults. These can be cleared with the Clear -button.
At the bottom of the GUI window is the "Auto Write" checkbox. If "Auto Write" is checked (default) any
checking, un-checking or pulldown menu selections will immediately launch I2C writes to the chip
register(s). If not checked, the user can update the chip registers to correspond the configuration selected
on the GUI by clicking "Write Registers".
If "Poll Status" is selected the software sends a query to the LP8756 at a fixed interval in order to detect
the status of the chip, including operation mode, multi-phase status, and output current. If also the "Poll
Only Pins" is selected the software is monitoring only the state of Interrupt and Powergood pins. If "Poll
Status" is not selected or if "Poll Only Pins" is selected, user can read the registers by applying "Read
Registers". "Bus Speed" pulldown menu selections are given in Table 3 below and is instantly applied for
System I2C.
GUI Overview
Table 2. Mode Information
BUCK MODE
DisabledBuck state machine in 'disable'
EnabledBuck state machine in 'enable'
BUS SPEED SELECTIONEXPLANATION
Fast (400 kHz)Fast I2C-compliant operation at 400 kHz
High-Speed (3.4 MHz)HS I2C-compliant data transfer with master codes.
3.2Other Tabs and Menus
The "Tools" pulldown menu hosts another way of accessing the LP8756xQ1 registers (see Figure 11). The
"Direct Register Access" tool can be used to read or write any register (see Figure 12). Selecting a
register, the bits appear on the right side Field View (see Figure 13). When moving mouse over bits in
Field View, bits are highlighted in the register view. Bits can be controlled either from register view or field
view. Register settings can also be saved to a file or pre-made register file can be loaded in the Direct
Register Access tool. Registers can be updated immediately or manually (see Figure 14).
When using direct register access, TI recommends un-checking the poll status check-box. This way the
GUI will only do the reads and writes commanded from the direct access dialog.