Power supply architecture
The ConnectCore 6UL requires a primary power supply input. This supply is the main power domain to the on-module NXP PF3000 power management IC (PMIC), which generates all required supply voltages for the module as well as the external interfaces. The system can be powered from voltages up to 5.5V. See Powering the system from a nominal 5V power supply (4.5V to 5.5V) and Powering the system for battery-powered applications (3.7V - 4.5V) for recommended power schemes for the ConnectCore 6UL module.
The ConnectCore 6UL module has a dedicated pin for connecting a coin cell backup battery or supercapacitor. You can enable a coin cell charger on the PMIC with Li-ion rechargeable batteries. This backup battery or supercapacitor is mandatory if RTC time must persist after the module has been disconnected from main power. You must also follow the recommended diode configuration as shown in the diagrams below to make sure the module holds the system time.
If RTC time retention is not required, you can remove the circuitry from your design and connect the 3.3V voltage regulator directly to the VCC_MCA and MCA_VIN_DET pins.
Powering the system from a nominal 5V power supply (4.5V to 5.5V)
Powering the system for battery-powered applications (3.7V - 4.5V)
Note In the implementations shown above, the coin cell/supercapacitor is connected to VCC_LICELL pin of the ConnectCore 6UL module, allowing coin-cell charger applications. This VCC_LICELL connection feeds the VSNVS regulator of the PMIC, which supplies the SNVS power domain of the CPU. The VSNVS regulator derives its power from either VIN or the coin cell (VIN takes precedence), and it cannot be disabled. This power domain allows some functionality of the CPU in low power mode applications even when the main power supply of the system is removed. However, this connection significantly increases the power consumption of the module in these low-power modes. This explains the power consumption in power-off mode; see Global power consumption for more information
To optimize power management in coin cell applications:
Do not connect the coin cell/supercapacitor to the VCC_LICELL power domain. You must keep the connection to VCC_MCA. This drastically reduces power consumption and extends the life of the power supply. To preserve coin cell charger functionality, follow the instructions in the Coin cell section.
The power architecture of the module is described in more detail below.
The PMIC generates the following power domains that are available on the module pads:
- Buck converters. Two buck regulators provide 3.3V:
- SW1A: 3V3_INT, powers several interfaces inside the module
- SW2: 3V3_EXT, free power line not used inside the module
- And another two buck regulators used for internal supply:
- SW1B: VDD_ARM_SOC_IN
- SW3: VCC_DDR3
| Power domain | Regulator type | Output accuracy | Maximum current | Dropout voltage (MAX) | Turn on time (MAX) | Turn off time (MAX) | Quiescent current in OFF mode (TYP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SW1A | DC/DC | +/-6.0 % | 1.00 A | - | 500 us | - | - |
| SW2 | DC/DC | +/-6.0 % | 1.25 A | - | 500 us | - | - |
| SW1B | DC/DC | +/-6.0 % | 1.75 A | - | 500 us | - | - |
| SW3 | DC/DC | +/-6.0 % | 1.5 A | - | 500 us | - | - |
Note Maximum current includes both the module and the module carrier board consumption.
SW1: parameters specified at TA=-40 °C to 85 °C, VIN=VSW1xIN=3.6V, VSW1x=1.2 V, ISW1x=100 mA.
SW2: parameters specified at TA=-40 °C to 85 °C, VIN=VSW2IN=3.6V, VSW2=3.15 V, ISW2=100 mA.
SW3: parameters specified at TA=-40 °C to 85 °C, VIN=VSW3IN=3.6V, VSW3=1.5 V, ISW3=100 mA.
When powering up the SOM, PMIC OTP programming sets the ramp-up rate of all buck regulators to 12.5 mV/μs.
- LDO regulators. Four PMIC regulators are available; the module uses LDO1: VDDA_ADC_3P3.
| LDO | Regulator type | Output accuracy | Maximum current | Dropout voltage (MAX) | Turn on time (MAX) | Turn off time (MAX) | Quiescent current in OFF mode (TYP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
VLDO1 |
1.8-3.3V |
+/-3.0 % |
0.100 A |
60 mV |
500 us |
10 ms |
13 uA |
|
VLDO2 |
0.8-1.55V |
+/-3.0 % |
0.250 A |
60 mV |
500 us |
10 ms |
13 uA |
|
VLDO3 |
1.8-3.3V |
+/-3.0 % |
0.100 A |
60 mV |
500 us |
10 ms |
13 uA |
|
VLDO4 |
1.8-3.3V |
+/-3.0 % |
0.350 A |
60 mV |
500 us |
10 ms |
13 uA |
Note Maximum current includes both the module and the module carrier board consumption.
VLDO1 parameters specified at TA=-40 °C to 85 °C, VIN=3.6V, VLDO1IN=3.6V, VLDO1=3.3V, ILDO1=10 mA.
VLDO2 parameters specified at TA=-40 °C to 85 °C, VIN=3.6V, VLDO2IN=3.0V, VLDO2=1.55V, ILDO2=10 mA.
VLDO3 parameters specified at TA=-40 °C to 85 °C, VIN=3.6V, VLDO34IN=3.6V, VLDO3=3.3V, ILDO3=10 mA.
VLDO4 parameters specified at TA=-40 °C to 85 °C, VIN=3.6V, VLDO34IN=3.6V, VLDO4=3.3V, ILDO4=10 mA.
- Boost converter. The PMIC offers a boost regulator that is not used inside the module but that is available in the pinout of the LGA version for customizations.
| Power domain | Regulator type | Output accuracy | Maximum current | Dropout voltage (MAX) | Turn on time (MAX) | Turn off time (MAX) |
Quiescent current in OFF mode (TYP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SWBST |
DC/DC |
-4.0% / +3% |
0.6 A |
- |
2 ms |
- |
- |
Note SWBST parameters specified at TA=-40 °C to 85 °C, VIN=VSWBSTIN=3.6V, VLSWBST=5.0V, ISWBST=100 mA.
VSYS and VSYS2 are the supply inputs to the regulators and buck converters of the PMIC. Both inputs are available on the module pads and can be connected to a single voltage input or to two different voltages on systems that require high efficiency on the power system:
- VSYS powers SW1A, SW2, LDO1 and LDO34 (shared input for LDO3 and LDO4).
- VSYS2 powers SW1B, SW3 and LDO2.
The power management IC located on the module is responsible for generating all required i.MX6UL processor supplies. Some of the I/O supplies are set on the module. See the following table:
|
Power domain |
Connection |
|---|---|
|
NVCC_NAND |
3V3_INT |
|
NVCC_GPIO |
3V3_INT |
|
NVCC_SD1 |
3V3_INT |
|
NVCC_UART |
3V3_INT |
| NVCC_CSI | 3V3_INT |
| NVCC_LCD | 3V3_INT |
One I/O voltage must be set externally and is left unconnected on the ConnectCore 6UL module: NVCC_ENET. See the following table for operating range of NVCC_ENET:
| Power domain | Min | Type | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
|
NVCC_ENET |
1.65 V |
1.8/2.8/3.3 V |
3.6 V |
As shown in the table above, the supply has a wide operating range. In order to provide the most cost-effective and flexible solution for a given use case, the supplies listed in the table must be provided by the carrier board integrating the ConnectCore 6UL module. However, PMIC 3.3V and LDO power rails are dedicated power sources for supplying i.MX6UL power domains.
Note Electrical and timing characteristics of the processor (i.MX6UL industrial), PMIC (PF3000), and MCA (MKL03Z32CAF4R) can be found in the corresponding datasheets, which are publicly available from the manufacturer.
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