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Raspberry Pi Forum RG1 1.8v regulator
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Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 231 replies
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Related

RG1 1.8v regulator

Former Member
Former Member over 13 years ago

Ok, so in a different thread I threatened to remove RG1 and do some current measurements on it's output after seeing those thermal images that show it's not generating any heat...

 

Well, I did it tonight. Some photos here: https://picasaweb.google.com/selsinork/RPi18v

 

The jumper pins in the output let me either just put a jumper on and verify the Pi boots ok, or wire a multimeter in series to get some current readings.

 

The results were interesting to say the least. I had to go back and check I was reading the multimeter correctly, that it wasn't broken etc.

 

On initial power up I see a negative current for a second or so which then reverses to about 0.5mA (yes half a milliamp, that's not a typo) for a few seconds while we get the first sd-card accesses. Once we're booted and sitting at the login prompt the current reading fluctuates from around 0.001mA to maybe 0.04mA. 

 

I'm using the 40mA range on a decent Fluke multimeter, so I've no reason to doubt the results. There's obviously going to be some inaccuracy down at that level due to length of meter leads etc, but the result is fairly clear.  You'll understand why I was checking the meter was working and I was reading it correctly though image

 

 

So from there onto the next test, lets try completely disconnecting RG1 and see if the Pi boots while using the LAN9512 1.8v 'output'.  Yes it does! 

 

I think that's reasonably good indication that jamodio got it spot on, the lan9512 shouldn't be connected to the 1.8v plane and it's heat problems are going to be largely due to supplying current on it's 1.8v filter pin that it was never designed to do.

 

So anyone willing to pull RG1 off a Pi and verify my results ?

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 13 years ago

    Thanks guys for the ideas for testing the usb issue.

     

    I think the network ping is some thing i will look more into but the serial testing is an good idea but i think it will make my testing to complex and need more gear in the setup, i think it is better to keep it simple for this testing or i will never have it done.

     

    In fact at the time i am testing the switch mode psu modules i have to find what of them is best will do the 1.8v and 3.3v at 50-150mA, but the ones i have now dont seems to be very efficiency at that small load..

     

    The module i am testing is this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280939678549

     

    here you can see the efficiency of one module i am testing now and it seems not to be very efficiency at loads in the low end, so if the load from the RPI is only 50-150ma then the efficiency is only 29-55% and that is not good.

     

     

    DC Load(A)               Efficiency(%)           

    0,0100                        7,2210

    0,0500                      29,4073

    0,1000                      45,4059

    0,1500                      55,5899

    0,2000                      62,4374

    0,2500                      67,5141

    0,3000                      71,2567

    0,3500                      74,2060

    0,4000                      76,5965

    0,4500                      78,5389

    0,5000                      80,1118

    0,5500                      81,4908

    0,6000                      82,6600

    0,6500                      83,5954

    0,7000                      84,4475

    0,7500                      85,1550

    0,8000                      85,7698

    0,8500                      86,2674

    0,9000                      86,5859

    0,9500                      86,6444

    1,0000                      86,9425

     

     

    So i am in the need to find an better switch mode supply, do you know ones that i can get easly ?

     

     

    I have got some LMZ10501 but they are one the chips and no board so i have to build them up first, but i think they will be alot better for this low load.... but damm they are small.

     

     

     

    Thomas

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 13 years ago

    Thanks guys for the ideas for testing the usb issue.

     

    I think the network ping is some thing i will look more into but the serial testing is an good idea but i think it will make my testing to complex and need more gear in the setup, i think it is better to keep it simple for this testing or i will never have it done.

     

    In fact at the time i am testing the switch mode psu modules i have to find what of them is best will do the 1.8v and 3.3v at 50-150mA, but the ones i have now dont seems to be very efficiency at that small load..

     

    The module i am testing is this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280939678549

     

    here you can see the efficiency of one module i am testing now and it seems not to be very efficiency at loads in the low end, so if the load from the RPI is only 50-150ma then the efficiency is only 29-55% and that is not good.

     

     

    DC Load(A)               Efficiency(%)           

    0,0100                        7,2210

    0,0500                      29,4073

    0,1000                      45,4059

    0,1500                      55,5899

    0,2000                      62,4374

    0,2500                      67,5141

    0,3000                      71,2567

    0,3500                      74,2060

    0,4000                      76,5965

    0,4500                      78,5389

    0,5000                      80,1118

    0,5500                      81,4908

    0,6000                      82,6600

    0,6500                      83,5954

    0,7000                      84,4475

    0,7500                      85,1550

    0,8000                      85,7698

    0,8500                      86,2674

    0,9000                      86,5859

    0,9500                      86,6444

    1,0000                      86,9425

     

     

    So i am in the need to find an better switch mode supply, do you know ones that i can get easly ?

     

     

    I have got some LMZ10501 but they are one the chips and no board so i have to build them up first, but i think they will be alot better for this low load.... but damm they are small.

     

     

     

    Thomas

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  • rew
    rew over 13 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Yeah. In first approximation, many switched regulators have a constant current "loss" and then an efficiency for "infinite" current. In your case the "limit" efficiency is about 88%. The constant current can be deduced from your measurements, but I'm too lazy to figure it out.

     

    You should be able to get an efficient switching powersupply with modern chips. The cheap ones on ebay are built around (copies of?) ancient chips that "work, but are not that efficient".

     

    I just went to "ti.com", and then clicked that I want a 4.5-5.5 input, 1.8V output, 150mA powersupply. Then I clicked on one of the "most efficient" designs, and got one that should be affordable at "bom cost $1.85".

     

    In single numbers they cost about EUR 2,- This sounds "doable". I'll see if I can make a small test-PCB for one of these guys this week. (hihi: The 1.8V output circuit is the reference design on page 1 of the datasheet).

     

    To improve efficiency, it that's what you're after, it would pay to make a 1.85V switcher, and leave the LAN9512 connected to the 1.8V plane. Hopefully that would switch off most of the internal regulator in the '9512....

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