The PMBus™-USB Adapter (I2C-ADAPTER-A00) allows users to communicate with PMBus-version Vicor
power modules through the signal pins. A PMBus control interface is provided for digital management
and access to telemetry monitoring offered by the product. The PMBus to USB Adapter converts the
PMBus to USB communication protocol by an internal isolated controller that allows users to easily
connect to a host PC (no driver installation required on Windows). A GUI, available for download on the
Vicor website, is provided for users to easily monitor and control the power module.
The PMBus interface of a VIA™, a dedicated Digital Supervisor or Point-of-Load Isolator is used for
communication purposes with the provided GUI installed on the user’s PC.
The PMBus interface of a VIA, Digital Supervisor or PLI allows users to read and write into the status
configuration registers of the module, monitor faults and obtain other additional device information.
The PMBus-USB adapter provides the ability to demonstrate the PMBus digital interface offered on
select Vicor products in an evaluation environment.
UG:402 Page 1
Page 2
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Hazardous voltages may be present on the interfaced Vicor power module.
PERSONAL CONTACT WITH LINE VOLTAGE MAY RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY, DISABILITY, OR DEATH.
IMPROPER OR UNSAFE HANDLING OF THIS ACCESSORY AND REL ATED POWER MODULE(S) MAY RESULT
IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH
Read the precautions below entirely BEFORE using the PMBus™-USB Adapter. Do not operate the
PMBus to USB Adapter unless you have the appropriate safety precautions in place on your bench to
guarantee safety.
The list below is not comprehensive and is not a substitute for common sense and good practice.
During operation, the power devices and surrounding structures can be operated safely at high
temperatures.
Remove power from converter and use caution when connecting and disconnecting test probes and
interface lines to avoid inadvertent short circuits and contact with hot surfaces.
Never use a jumper in place of the fuse.
When testing electronic products always use approved safety glasses. Follow good laboratory practice
and procedures.
Avoid creating ground loops when making measurements of the isolated input or output voltage and
signals.
Care should be taken to protect the user from accidental contact when under power.
Care should be taken to avoid reversing polarities if connecting to the opposite (solder) side of the
board.
The PMBus to USB Adapter described in this document is designed for general laboratory evaluation,
and is not suitable for installation in end user equipment.
Refer to the specific Vicor power module data sheet of the interfaced product(s) for electrical,
thermal, and mechanical product details.
Signal cables 43503-01 and 43503-02 are rated up to five insertions and extractions. Insert and
extract the VIA signal connector cables by firmly grasping the connector body housing. To avoid
unnecessary stress on the connector, the cable should be appropriately strain relieved.
UG:402 Page 2
Page 3
Connector Information – PMBus™-USB Adapter
r
Side View
1
VDDB
2
SDA
3
SCL
4
SGND
5
SGND
6
Chassis
GND
Micro-USBConnecto
Pin NumberSignal NameTyp eFunction
1
2
3SCLOUTPUTI2C Clock PMBus Compatible
4SGNDSIGNAL RETURNSignal Ground
5SGNDSIGNAL RETURNSignal Ground
6Chassis GNDSHIELDConnector Housing Ground
VDDBOUTPUT5V supply output
SDAINPUT/OUTPUTI2C™ Data PMBus™ Compatible
Figure 1
Host PC to VIA™ Power Module
Array Connection, PMBus
Communication Interface
Accessories Shown as a Typical
Application Setup
HostPC and GUI
PMBus™ to USB Adapter
(I2C-ADAPTER-A00)
ISOLATION BOUNDARY
VIAto Adapter Bridge
BoardCable
(43503-01)
Adapter BridgeBoard
(USB-ADAPTER-4V-A00)
VIA
VIA
VIA
VIA
UG:402 Page 3
Page 4
Application Details
The PMBus™-USB Adapter, along with the listed companion accessories and Vicor Digital Interface
Demo GUI, provides a convenient means to demonstrate the PMBus digital interface offered on Vicor
power modules in an evaluation environment. With these tools, the user can quickly get started
with evaluating the features offered by the PMBus interface and determining needs of the final
production power system.
Features
Easily configure and monitor PMBus enabled Vicor power modules
Vicor Digital Interface Demo Board GUI for PMBus control interface
(available on Vicor website HV BCM family page)
USB connection to host PC
Provides 5V external bias (VDDB)
Isolated PMBus to host interface (4242VDC)
Measurement of input and output parameters, including but not limited to:
Voltage
Current
Power
Temperature
Fault monitoring, including but not limited to:
Overvoltage / Undervoltage
Overcurrent
Overtemperature
Enable / Disable control
Table 1
PMBus Companion Accessories
Part NumberDescription
USB-ADAPTER-1V-B00
USB-ADAPTER-4V-A00
43503-01VIA Signal Connector cable with Molex® Micro-Lock™ connector (600mm length)
43503-02VIA Signal Connector cable with Molex® Micro-Lock™ connector (200mm length)
I2C-ADAPTER-A00PMBus-USB Adapter
Software InterfaceVicor digital interface demo board GUI
Adapter bridge board, for use with single chassis-mount VIA™
Adapter bridge board, for use with up to four chassis-mount VIAs
UG:402 Page 4
Page 5
Figure 2
USB-ADAPTER-1V-B00
Assembly Drawing and
Schematic
VIA™ to Adapter Bridge Board
The Typical Application diagram in Figure 1 shows the connections required to establish PMBus™
communication between PMBus-enabled VIA modules and a host PC. The setup for this configuration
includes directly connecting the VIA Signal Connector cable to the PMBus signal port on the VIA.
The Adapter Bridge Board, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, provides the necessary connections
between the VIA Signal Connector Cable and the PMBus to USB Adapter. On Adapter Bridge Board
USB-ADAPTER-1V-B00, the VIA PMBus address is programmed to 51h by a pre-installed resistor R02.
On the Adapter Bridge Board USB-ADAPTER-4V-A00, the four VIA PMBus addresses are programmed
to 51h, 53h, 54h, 55h by pre-installed resistors R02-R05. An LED provides visual indication that VDDB
(5V) is present.
Lastly, the PMBus to USB Adapter connects to the user’s computer where the provided Vicor Digital
Interface Demo GUI is installed.
FID02
C01
R01
D01
R02
R06
R05
J01
1
2
3
4
5
6
Chassis
MICRO USB Connector
R08
0402
CHASSIS
J01
R08
R04
TOP VIEW
R05
VDDE
SDA
SCL
GND
R040402
0402
GND
0402
R01
0402
C01
0402
GND
FID01
J02
GND
ADDRESS
R02
R06
0402
D01
J02
1
2
3
4
5
Micro-Lock Connector
UG:402 Page 5
Page 6
Figure 3
USB-ADAPTER-4V-A00
Assembly Drawing and
Schematic
J03
J04
J05
J02
FID02
ADDRESS_1
GND
R03
R04
R08
D01
R01
R05
R09
R06
R07
C01
J01
R02
FID01
TOP VIEW
ADDRESS_1
SDA
ADDRESS_2
ADDRESS_3
ADDRESS_4
R02
R03
R04
0402
0402
GND
VDDE
R08
0402
D01
GND
R05
0402
0402
GND
GND
CHASSIS
J01
1
2
3
4
5
6
Chassis
MICRO USB Connector
VDDE
SDA
SCL
R01
0603
R09
0402
SGND
R07
0402
C01
0402
R06
0402
GND
VDDE
SCL
SGND
VDDEADDRESS_2 SDA SCL SGND
VDDEADDRESS_3 SDA SCL SGND
VDDEADDRESS_4 SDA SCL SGND
J02
1
2
3
4
5
Micro-Lock Connector
J03
1
2
3
4
5
Micro-Lock Connector
J04
1
2
3
4
5
Micro-Lock Connector
J05
1
2
3
4
5
Micro-Lock Connector
UG:402 Page 6
Page 7
The following is a list of all connectors and components present on the USB-ADAPTER-1V-B00 and
USB-ADAPTER-4V-A00 Adapter Bridge Boards.
After making the necessary connections, follow the guidelines for configuring the GUI and to ensure
establishment of communication between the power module and the host PC.
1. Measure 5V on the VDDB pin of the VIA module to ensure power is provided to the digital
communication interface. If using an evaluation board, provide 5V VDDB from an external source.
2. Power up module within operating range specified by the device datasheet.
3. Open the Vicor Digital Interface Demo Board software installed on the connected host PC.
4. Go to Tools -> Scan for Digital Supervisor to detect digital supervisor as shown in Figure 4.1.
5. Go to Tools -> Scan for Devices and select desired power module device as shown in Figure4.2.
6. Verify the desired power module device is selected (highlighted in green) for communication
through the GUI.
UG:402 Page 8
Page 9
Limitation of Warranties
Information in this document is believed to be accurate and reliable. HOWEVER, THIS INFORMATION
IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE
ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF SUCH INFORMATION. VICOR SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR THE
CONSEQUENCES OF USE OF SUCH INFORMATION. IN NO EVENT SHALL VICOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY
INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, LOST PROFITS OR SAVINGS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, COSTS RELATED TO THE REMOVAL
OR REPLACEMENT OF ANY PRODUCTS OR REWORK CHARGES).
Vicor reserves the right to make changes to information published in this document, at any time
and without notice. You should verify that this document and information is current. This document
supersedes and replaces all prior versions of this publication.
All guidance and content herein are for illustrative purposes only. Vicor makes no representation or
warranty that the products and/or services described herein will be suitable for the specified use without
further testing or modification. You are responsible for the design and operation of your applications
and products using Vicor products, and Vicor accepts no liability for any assistance with applications or
customer product design. It is your sole responsibility to determine whether the Vicor product is suitable
and fit for your applications and products, and to implement adequate design, testing and operating
safeguards for your planned application(s) and use(s).
VICOR PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED, AUTHORIZED OR WARRANTED FOR USE IN LIFE SUPPORT,
LIFE-CRITICAL OR SAFETY-CRITICAL SYSTEMS OR EQUIPMENT. VICOR PRODUCTS ARE NOT CERTIFIED
TO MEET ISO 13485 FOR USE IN MEDICAL EQUIPMENT NOR ISO/TS16949 FOR USE IN AUTOMOTIVE
APPLICATIONS OR OTHER SIMILAR MEDICAL AND AUTOMOTIVE STANDARDS. VICOR DISCLAIMS
ANY AND ALL LIABILITY FOR INCLUSION AND/OR USE OF VICOR PRODUCTS IN SUCH EQUIPMENT OR
APPLICATIONS AND THEREFORE SUCH INCLUSION AND/OR USE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Terms of Sale
The purchase and sale of Vicor products is subject to the Vicor Corporation Terms and Conditions of Sale
which are available at: (http://ww w.vicorpower.com/termsconditionswarranty)
Export Control
This document as well as the item(s) described herein may be subject to export control regulations.
Export may require a prior authorization from U.S. export authorities.