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Final P2 Power Estimation — Parallax Forums

Final P2 Power Estimation

cgraceycgracey Posts: 14,133
edited 2018-07-05 04:10 in Propeller 2
We had a chance to run some more simulations, so I thought a little more about the test program that tries to maximize power consumption.

I had eight cogs executing from register memory at 180MHz. I made their loops in hub memory, instead, which forces frequent FIFO reloads. The simulation showed a worst-case power consumption of:

2.4 Watts

That measurement was taken at fastest process corner, highest voltage (1.98V) and lowest temperature (-40C). I don't think a customer will ever see more than 2 Watts consumed by the core. So, the original estimation of about 2 Watts is probably accurate.
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Comments

  • Thanks for the update, sounds good.
  • That's good news.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,066
    Excellent news Chip.

    I knew hubexec would push the power envelope, and we are likely to see a lot of hubexec cogs in P2.

    However, in reality, I doubt any customer is going to get anywhere near 2W. Most will be hard pressed to even see 1W.
  • cgraceycgracey Posts: 14,133
    There is additional power consumed by the I/O pins.

    The DAC burns constant power. The ADC burns about 1.5mA. Swinging the output at high frequency will take power, too
  • Thanks for those figures Chip. Did you happen to simulate "typical" power consumption somehow? I don't think I will be ever be operating at -40'C, nor 1.98V nor at the same time too although the -40 should help to keep it cool. I have no control over the "Q factor" of the chip itself though.
  • cgraceycgracey Posts: 14,133
    I will ask ON if they can run the same simulation at typical conditions.
  • roglohrogloh Posts: 5,122
    edited 2018-07-16 07:27
    So from a power perspective on the P2 is there any requirement for the 1.8V core supply to come up before or after or be synchronized with the 3.3V supply? Are there any special restrictions there so as not to degrade or damage the device?
  • cgraceycgracey Posts: 14,133
    I think it might be good to employ a brownout detector on the 1.8V core supply and then have the 3.3V I/O supply power up within 3ms of the 1.8V supply.
  • jmgjmg Posts: 15,140
    cgracey wrote: »
    I think it might be good to employ a brownout detector on the 1.8V core supply and then have the 3.3V I/O supply power up within 3ms of the 1.8V supply.

    Are there any 'damage' paths ? - eg 3v3=3v3 with 1.8V = 0, or 3v3=0 and 1.8V = 1.8V ?

    With the 3v3 elements resetting at the same time, provided the core is up before reset is released, things should be ok ?
  • roglohrogloh Posts: 5,122
    edited 2018-07-17 10:01
    Thanks Chip. I had recently found a possible dual output buck switching regulator from TI (TPS54383) that I was interested in so I had been wondering if it might be usable with a P2 based system. I was imagining it could be of use in some high current (up to 3A) applications to step down from a 4.5-28V source input to 3.3V and 1.8V for example. Fortuitously it appears this device may be able sequence its two outputs in a manner you have indicated where the 1.8V can come up first to regulation, then the 3.3V enabled in 3ms.

    Of course there may be more suitable devices, just happened to find this one and start looking at it and wondering what the P2 requirements would be there with its voltage rails.
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,950
    edited 2018-07-17 18:26
    If you use a switching regulator, I would go down to maybe 4-5V and use a analog friendly ldo for the final step down to 3.3V and 1.8V

    ON Semiconductor have a 1Amp one for 24cent: NCP59800 (nice big 0.65mm pad pitch and top layer thermal spread)
    https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/ON-Semiconductor/NCP59800BMNADJTBG?qs=/ha2pyFadujw87dMGaQs86X4pq3J/8Ei9C2UMd/G2yhz6CoIN/zrhlNiA2PNN/Ks
    images.jpg?psid=1
    Use two, one for 3.3v and one for 1.8V and use the soft start feature and tie the 1.8V output to enable pin on the 3.3V,
    as enable have 1.2v threshold, could resistor divide it down to 1.7V threshold if you want it to wait just a little longer

    Or the 1.8V ldo's enable pin tied to the 3.3V output if power up sequence is opposite.
  • evanhevanh Posts: 15,126
    tonyp12 wrote: »
    If you use a switching regulator, I would go down to maybe 4-5V and use a analog friendly ldo for the final step down to 3.3V and 1.8V
    Good for 3.3v quiet analogue I/O portion.

    1.8v core voltage should definitely be direct switcher supplied though. And this will control just as easily, btw. All sequencing can be downstream of the 1.8v supply. Otherwise you're talking a 3-4 volt linear drop to the 1.8 volts - the losses aren't pretty.

  • roglohrogloh Posts: 5,122
    edited 2018-07-18 04:24
    evanh wrote: »

    .... Otherwise you're talking a 3-4 volt linear drop to the 1.8 volts - the losses aren't pretty.

    Agree, if the P2 draws up to 1A on its 1.8V under heavy load then this is an additional 3-4W of loss that way which is already a lot more than the P2 itself requires. A switching regulator for the 1.8V and a 3.3V linear LDO regulator from (say) a 5V rail when enabled by the 1.8V core output though sounds like a reasonable compromise in heat wasted and the hopefully reduced analog noise it delivers. I am going to consider that approach now as I have an potential application where I'd need 5V (for LCD backlighting, audio amp, and a USB host) and 3.3V and 1.8V for the P2, all from a single higher supply from 6-12V. This type of switcher and another 3.3V LDO might work, though I don't like the idea of needing to go design and analyze phase margins and gain response to see if it will be stable etc, as I'd then have to try to remember all that control theory stuff from my earlier EE days. LOL.

    By the way this topic may have ramifications for Peter Jakacki's P2D2 board if the 3.3V P2 supply has to come up only after the 1.8V, though that discussion probably belongs in his thread.

  • Murata are pulling out of those LXDC2's unfortunately. They're down as 'last time buy'.

    The Torex range looks like the way to go for something similar.
  • jmgjmg Posts: 15,140
    edited 2018-07-19 09:31
    Tubular wrote: »
    Murata are pulling out of those LXDC2's unfortunately. They're down as 'last time buy'.

    The Torex range looks like the way to go for something similar.

    Yes, but you do pay a premium for the merged packaging, and that also puts more power loss into a small area.

    You can get Dual 3v3/1v8 fixed-voltage switching regulators, like PAM2306AYPKE IC REG BCK 1.8V/3.3V 1A DL 12DFN 0.27550/3k

    I like the idea of an i2c programmable regulator, but it's not easy finding one that is mainstream, and not a silly price.
    It may be cheaper to use a 25c MCU with i2c/PWM peripherals, and control standard FB regulators from that ?

    Or, you can take the KISS path, and get a simple, high volume part like AP3402 TSOT23-6 2A at 12c/3k - the AP3402 includes a Power Good & Enable
    Addit: the FP6373 looks pin compatible with AP3402, but 3A nominal, and 9.16c/500

    For designs that do not need the full power envelope, simple LDOs like SOT223 1.2A LDL1117S18R / LDL1117S33R have real appeal. ( the price of $0.0890/2k5 helps too )
  • jmgjmg Posts: 15,140
    cgracey wrote: »
    I think it might be good to employ a brownout detector on the 1.8V core supply and then have the 3.3V I/O supply power up within 3ms of the 1.8V supply.

    Looking around for more top-end Power solutions, for lab testing and characterization uses, I find the MxL7704-A / MxL7704-X as used in the latest RaspPi
    This could pair with the new Microchip PAC1932/PAC1933 Current/Voltage Monitor.


    2 part codes with differing default settings,
    MxL7704-A is ARM/Pi sequencing, 1.8V up after 3v3 _/=, down before 3v3 =\_
    MxL7704-X is Xilinx sequencing, 1.8V up before 3v3 _/=, down after 3v3 =\_
    Maybe both can be tested ? -


    Input voltage range: 4.0V to 5.5V
    4 Synchronous Buck Regulators
    Internally compensated current mode
    1MHz to 2.1MHz switching frequency
    Buck 1: 3.0V to 3.6V, 20mV step, 1.5A
    Buck 2: 1.3V to 1.92V, 20mV step, 1.5A
    Buck 3: 0.8V to 1.6V, 6.25mV step, 2.5A
    Buck 4: 0.6V to 1.4V, 6.25mV step, 4A
    100mA LDO: 1.5V to 3.6V, 20mV step

    ±2% maximum total dc output error over line, load and temperature
    3.3V/5V 400kHz I2C interface
    Dynamic voltage scaling
    Status monitoring by channel
    Sequencing control
    Input voltage status register
    Highly flexible conditional sequencing engine with external input
    2 configurable PGOOD outputs
    Adjustable switching frequency
    5mm x 5mm 32-pin QFN package

    If anyone wanted to push P2 below 1.3V, then Buck3 could be used ?

    Looks to be ~ $2.30/3k (I'm sure RaspPi buy them for much less ! ) so not low-end, but it is compact and highly flexible, and being able to readily adjust voltages over i2c, is good for data-sheet generate.
    ( They do not seem to do a cheaper one, with fewer converters.)
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2018-07-20 04:21
    Could we perhaps have a 1.7V LDO in parallel with the 1.8V switcher to ensure that the core has sufficient voltage at the same time as I/O power? The power supplies would rise at the same rate and the voltage differential would only occur once the core voltage is close to operating range. The 1.7V will be low enough that once 1.8V is present the LDO is effectively disconnected but the advantage of this approach is that we avoid "sequencing" and instead use the simultaneous power-up method.

    P2D2 has an LDO footprint in parallel with the switcher, all I would do is use a 1.7V LDO there and since the processor is going through reset and running RCFAST on one cog the actual power consumption is very small, especially since we are only talking about milliseconds anyway.
  • jmgjmg Posts: 15,140
    Could we perhaps have a 1.7V LDO in parallel with the 1.8V switcher to ensure that the core has sufficient voltage at the same time as I/O power? The power supplies would rise at the same rate and the voltage differential would only occur once the core voltage is close to operating range. The 1.7V will be low enough that once 1.8V is present the LDO is effectively disconnected but the advantage of this approach is that we avoid "sequencing" and instead use the simultaneous power-up method.

    It's not clear on P2 how the Reset/registers span the voltage domains, or if there are any damage paths, or how critical sequencing is.
    Clearly, you want to avoided device damage, and avoid undefined pin states.

    Xilinx version of that MxL7704 seems to bring up the core, I guess to configure things and define IO settings, before VIO applies, whilst -A version brings up VIO, and seems to rely on (reset) IO registers giving defined states, before the core is applied.

    With Power-Good outputs, the P2 should be held in (async?) reset .
    The lowest cost parts I linked above, with PG, release on 90% of Nominal, and have soft-starts of 1~2ms
  • TLE9861 is ~$2.30@2.5k, and could do the work of a power monitor as well as switching controller. I just discovered it now, but it's looking better and better the more I look.
  • TLE9861 is ~$2.30@2.5k, and could do the work of a power monitor as well as switching controller. I just discovered it now, but it's looking better and better the more I look.

    Wow things must be getting bad if we need to resort to use a motor controller IC to power the P2! LOL.
  • rogloh wrote: »
    TLE9861 is ~$2.30@2.5k, and could do the work of a power monitor as well as switching controller. I just discovered it now, but it's looking better and better the more I look.

    Wow things must be getting bad if we need to resort to use a motor controller IC to power the P2! LOL.

    Yes, this whole matter of powering the P2 could become over complicated quite easily yet simultaneous powerup is dead simple.


  • jmgjmg Posts: 15,140
    edited 2018-07-21 03:55
    rogloh wrote: »
    TLE9861 is ~$2.30@2.5k, and could do the work of a power monitor as well as switching controller. I just discovered it now, but it's looking better and better the more I look.

    Wow things must be getting bad if we need to resort to use a motor controller IC to power the P2! LOL.

    Hehe, no, not that bad that it needs kW power handling ;) !

    The appeal is being able to easily control the voltages, mainly on a well featured EvalPCB, so the MxL7704 is one candidate.
    The new Microchip PAC1932 series can read I.V to good 16b precision, at under $1


    One irony is, that specific purpose MxL7704 part is actually not super-cheap, at $2.30/3k ( but it is powerful, and keeps BOM small, and appears to have natural range limiting )

    An alternative would be a MCU with a clean/decent 2+ DAC like EFM8BB31F16G-B-QFN24R 24QFN $0.62370/3k plus 2 mainstream SOT23-6 SMPS parts, ( FP6373 ~ 9c or AP3402 ~ 12c), for a sub $1 BOM
    An EFM8BB3 can drive Vo adjustments to either Linear or PWM-FB regulators, and could read 12b ADC, with an external dual-current amplifier.
    The EFM8BB31F64 has 4 x 12b DAC, ( ~$1) so that could support both Voltage adjust, and P2 ADC checking.
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    For my use the problem is not in the circuit design, part availability, or cost. Multiple options are available. My main concern is how long those parts will be available. Most of the equipment I deal with is high cost, high reliability, and expected to be in use for many years, at least a decade or two.
  • TwyyxTwyyx Posts: 66
    edited 2020-07-04 08:21
    I am also now trying to choose how to setup power for a prop2 PCB. It seems the only way to get economy on the parts is to step down multiple times, but this certainly complicates the power design quite a bit. I can only pull power from +/- 12V (eurorack conventions, +5V is considered legacy by most modules).

    I will want to use the smartpins in ADC and DAC mode, but I'll need to couple them to op amps to boost the level to around +-10V.

    As I understand it, without LDO on the +3.3V VXXXX pins, ripple will interfere with the accuracy of these modes. Do we have any anecdotal indicators on "how much" yet?. Should I just go ahead and assume every VXXXX group will need LDO for reasonable operation? I'm still quite a newbie, so this still feels very hand-wavey to me.

    I also need a precision voltage reference, at +10.000ish volts.

    So here's my plan so far (attached).

    Should I not gang the smartpin groups? Should I reduce the current/design limits for those to make it impossible to overdraw the main power budget?
    Is there really a simpler way to do this, given that my main power rail is +12V and I need analog, digital, and precision sources at multiple levels?
    [img][/img]
    1508 x 711 - 209K
  • Why 5V then?
    I use a switcher to 3.6V and then a dual LDO for PA and PB sides. The same switcher also produces 1.8V. I'm not saying do it exactly this way, but certainly reduce the input voltage to the 3.3V LDOs so that while it regulates out the ripple, it also does so efficiently and with low noise and good load transient response at the same time. The 1.8V should always be switched in my opinion as that is the only efficient way to do so and there is no need to worry about minor ripple on this supply.

    I also note that "low noise" regulators seem to be more so because of the size and type of caps they recommend, so pay attention to this and the layout.
  • jmgjmg Posts: 15,140
    edited 2020-07-04 20:49
    Twyyx wrote: »
    I am also now trying to choose how to setup power for a prop2 PCB. It seems the only way to get economy on the parts is to step down multiple times, but this certainly complicates the power design quite a bit. I can only pull power from +/- 12V (eurorack conventions, +5V is considered legacy by most modules).

    An alternative is to look at 12V SMPS parts like AP62300/AP62301 - those are Buck from VIN: 4.2V to 18V 75mΩ high-side power MOSFET and a 45mΩ Low side
    The part codes give 2 choices, of burst or continuous.
    Burst has lower idling power, but has more ripple.
    You then go from 12V to 1.8V and 12V to something OK for linear 3v3 regulators - maybe ~ 4V ?

    Or, if your 3v3 current needs expect to be low, you could look at a part like LDL212PV33R, which goes direct from 12V to 3v3, or the NCV8730BMTW330TBG, or the larger NCV8775CDT33RKG, could suit more industrial PCB designs.
  • TwyyxTwyyx Posts: 66
    edited 2020-07-05 16:09
    Thank you both for taking the time to give a newbie some solid feedback.

    I'm reworking the power net to be safer and more targeted for purpose. (fewer LDOs, less over-budget margin, lower LDO step down)

    I was considering that I might need the +5V in some cases, but it is better to take an intentional approach to using 3.3V peripherals and then only add 5V from the 12V main if unavoidable. Also, I'd rather know that the current budget is not subject to peak demands from the core.

    So, I'll probably just do 12Vmain->3.6V switched->1.8V switched + 3.3V LDO with only 2 LDOs for the VXXXX pins.

  • cgracey wrote: »
    We had a chance to run some more simulations, so I thought a little more about the test program that tries to maximize power consumption.

    I had eight cogs executing from register memory at 180MHz. I made their loops in hub memory, instead, which forces frequent FIFO reloads. The simulation showed a worst-case power consumption of:

    2.4 Watts

    That measurement was taken at fastest process corner, highest voltage (1.98V) and lowest temperature (-40C). I don't think a customer will ever see more than 2 Watts consumed by the core. So, the original estimation of about 2 Watts is probably accurate.

    I'm presuming this is specifically for the 180Mhz clock speed. At 1.9V this ends up being about 1.2A.

    Just some data points for consideration, if my math is accurate:

    If the current draw scales linearly with core clock, that means it *might* be possible to hit 2.3A at 320Mhz @1.9V with the above test.
    At a core voltage of 1.8, this goes down slightly to about 2.15A.

    I presume it may be necessary to bump voltage slightly to maintain stability at higher clock rates.

  • I took took advice from both of you and came up with a new topology. It's much simpler and much more economical this way:

    - independent current supplies for 1.8v and 3.3v
    - discrete switcher (AP62300 as suggested by jmg) The cost of the integrated module wasn't justifiable, and relied heavily on external filtering anyway.
    - About 1/3 the original cost (even including the precision reference)
    - LDO V headroom is now .3V (as suggested by Peter)

    I've attached an updated infographic to illustrate the improvements. It seems so much easier now in retrospect than it did before. Thanks again!



    984 x 694 - 90K
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