iMeter BoosterPack
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The iMeter BoosterPack features the INA226, an iteration of the INA219 I've been using in various projects like the I²C Voltage-Current-Power INA219 Sensor and the Volt-Amp-Watt-Meter for Grove.
Compared to the INA219, the INA226 operates on the same I²C bus but can now perform the measures on the high- or low-side, when the INA219 could only measure on the high-side. To do this, the INA226 exposes 4 pins, Vbus, Vin+, Vin- and Ground. |
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Hardware
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This time, no need to solder: the INA226 can be used off-the-shelf!
The BoosterPack has a minimal footprint with 4 pins only connected to the LaunchPad:
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Software
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Texas Instruments promotes a wireless solution based on the CC3200 LaunchPad with a wireless scope. However, only the binary executable is provided, not the code source.
The IMETER-BOOST User's Guide is more an application note than a standard data-sheet, as it focuses solely on this wireless solution, and misses important information for any other use. For example, there is no indication for the calibration parameter of the INA226 with the 0.1Ω shunt resistor soldered on the BoosterPack. Similarly, the INA226 High-Side or Low-Side Measurement, Bi-Directional Current and Power Monitor with I2C Compatible Interface datasheet (Rev. A) is confusing, as it mixes inputs, calculations and outputs. |
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Training
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On top of the usual data-sheet and applications notes, Texas Instruments provides an excellent training Getting Started with Current Sense Amplifiers.
This series consists on 16 short videos to learn the basics, track most common errors and explore more advanced topics. |
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Pins Map
Conclusion
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The major surprise was the documentation. It took me a while to go through the split information and get a clear picture.
The library for Energia was then easy to develop thanks to the prior experience with the INA219. I tested the iMeter BoosterPack on a MSP430FR4133 LaunchPad and a MSP430FR6989 LaunchPad with the built-in segmented LCD, leveraging the alpha-numeric LCD to display the units and the buttons to select the different measures (V, A, W) and toggle between units (V, mV, μV). |
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Pros
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Cons
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Wrap-Up
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Links
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Posted: Updated: 06 Apr 2020 |
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