User manual

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VoltageRegulatorModuleReferenceManual

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Overview

The Digilent VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) is a battery-friendly switching voltage regulator

capable of providing up to 6A of current at 5V or 3.3V. The input voltage can be stepped down from

sources as high as 15V. It is ideal for use in mechatronics applications to efficiently regulate battery

voltage, or in any application where a clean step down is required.

Features include:

 Up to 6A synchronous step downswitching regulator

 Selectable 5V or 3.3V output voltage

 Input voltage range of 5-15V

 479kHz internal switching frequency

 Switching synchronization to anexternal clock

1.FunctionalDescription

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The Digilent VRM is designed to provide regulated 5V or 3.3V power using an external power source

such as a battery. The 6A maximum current is ideal for application from small control boards to large

mechatronics projects. In particular, it is useful for projects utilizing Digilent boards requiring a 5V

source, as both the 5V external rail and the 3.3V internal regulation can be achieved.

Note: The 6A output current rating depends on operating temperature. It may be necessary to

provide additional heat sinking or fan cooling to achieve the full 6A output current in some situations.

The VRM uses a Texas Instruments TPS54620 switching regulator. Refer to the data sheet available

from Texas Instruments for detailed information about this regulator.

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Voltage Regulator Module Reference Manual Overview The Digilent VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) is a battery-friendly switching voltage regulator capable of providing up to 6A of current at 5V or 3.3V. The input voltage can be stepped down from sources as high as 15V. It is ideal for use in mechatronics applications to efficiently regulate battery voltage, or in any application where a clean step down is required.
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Refer to the schematic for detailed information about the circuitry on the board and the input, output, and configuration connections on the board. 2. Input and Output Connections The VRM board has power inputs and outputs in both screw terminal and two-pin header format. Connect the external power source to the connections labeled “GND” and “VU” on the screw terminal connector J6, or the two-pin header, J3, labeled “BATTERY”.
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. Jumper Options Several jumpers are used to configure or control the operation of the Digilent VRM: Jumper J2 is used to select the output voltage. Install a shorting block on J2 to select 3.3V output. Otherwise the voltage output is 5V. Connector J5 allows access to the enable input to the regulator. This allows an external controller, (such as a microcontroller) to turn the regulator on or off. Driving the EN pin on this connector to ground will turn off the regulator.