Embedded Computing
  • About
  • Blog
  • Hardware
    • Which Platform?
    • Controller Platforms >
      • Adafruit Platform
      • Arduino Plaform
      • BBC micro:bit
      • Espressif Platform
      • iLabs Platform
      • Raspberry Pi Platform (MCU)
      • Seeed Platform
      • Silicon Labs Platform
      • Teensy Plaform
    • Computer Platforms >
      • BeagleBone Platform
      • Raspberry Pi Platform (SBC)
      • UDOO Platform
    • Peripherals >
      • Shields
      • Grove System
      • Sensors
      • Actuators
    • Displays >
      • E-Paper Displays
      • Reflective Displays
      • TFT Displays
      • LCD Displays
    • Legacy Platforms >
      • chipKIT Plaform
      • 4D Systems Platform
      • Intel Platform
      • LaunchPad Plaform
      • BoosterPacks for LaunchPads
      • LightBlue Bean
      • Maple Plaform
      • Mediatek Platform
      • Microsoft Azure IoT DevKit
      • Particle Platform
  • Software
    • Exploring RTOS with Galaxia >
      • Event Library
      • Semaphore Library
      • Mailbox Library
      • Timer Library
      • Clock Library
      • SWI Library
      • Task Library
    • Ultra-Low Power with EnergyTrace >
      • Ultra-Low Power with MSP430
      • Ultra-Low Power with Energia MT and Galaxia
    • Using Integers Instead of Reals
    • Going Python?
  • IoT
    • IoT Platforms: Which Hardware? >
      • Matter with Silicon Labs MG24
    • IoT Services: Which Solution? >
      • Recommended IoT Solutions
      • Platform-Specific IoT Solutions
      • Other IoT Solutions
      • Not tested IoT Solutions
      • Notification Solutions
    • Get Date and Time from Internet with NTP
    • Fast and Easy WiFi Connection with QR-Code
  • Tools
    • How to Start?
    • Reference >
      • Asking for Help
      • Boards Pins Maps
      • Ruler
      • Boards and Plugs
      • I²C Logic Level Converter
      • Standards for Connectors
    • Training >
      • Texas Instruments Workshops
      • Embedded Systems: Shape The World — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.6.02x
      • Embedded Systems - Shape The World: Microcontroller Input/Output — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.6.10x
      • Embedded Systems - Shape The World: Multi-Threaded Interfacing — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.6.20x
      • Real-Time Bluetooth Networks: Shape the World — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.RTBN.12.01x
      • Systems Thinking with Texas Instruments Robotics System Learning Kit
    • Books >
      • Getting Started with the MSP430 LaunchPad
      • Getting Started with Arduino
      • Arduino Cookbook
    • IDE >
      • The Battle of IDEs
      • More Options
      • Assessing the Next Generation of IDEs
      • Tools for Documentation
    • Equipment >
      • Saleae Logic Analyser
      • Rigol DS1102E Oscilloscope
      • XDS110 Debug Probe with EnergyTrace​
      • Segger J-Link Programmer-Debugger
      • Nordic Power Profiler Kit II
  • Projects
    • Libraries >
      • Master I²C Software Library
      • Date and Time Library
      • highView Library Suite
      • Others Libraries
    • smartDevices >
      • I²C smartColours Smart Sensor
      • I²C smartRFID Smart Sensor
      • I²C smartLED Display
      • I²C smartControls Smart Device
      • I²C smartWiFi Smart Device
      • I²C smartBLE Smart Device
      • I²C smartNode Smart Device
    • IoT Projects >
      • Remote E-Paper Weather and Message Board
      • Typie-Walkie with LoRa and E-Paper Screen
      • Typie-Walkie with E-Paper Screen
      • Remote e-Paper Pictures Panel
      • Remote e-Paper Messages Panel
      • Industrial IoT Project
      • Remote Contactless Temperature Monitor
      • Using Node-RED for IIoT
      • Low Power Home Network Weather Monitoring
      • Updated Low Power Home Network Weather Monitoring
      • Weather and Security Station with Blynk
      • SensorTag to Blynk Using Node-RED
      • Pervasive Reporting
    • AI Projects >
      • Colour Recognition with Neural Network
    • Other Projects >
      • Air Quality Monitoring
      • Driving a Large E-Paper Display with a Compact Xiao RP2040
      • Low-Power E-Paper Weather Station
      • Portable Particulate​ Matter Monitor
      • FRAM-based E-Paper Screen Controller
      • General Purpose 3.5" Screen
      • Colour Recognition with Neural Network
      • A Low Power Weather Station
      • Digital Volt-Amp-Watt Meter
      • Mobile Measurement with LCD Display
      • Screen with SRAM for GUI
      • Volt-Amp-Watt-Meter for Grove
      • Multi-Touch Project with CapTIvate

Nordic Power Profiler Kit II

One of the most critical challenge of embedded systems is managing the power budget. And very often, measuring power consumption turns into another major challenge.

I have already reviewed proprietary solutions like EnergyTrace, albeit optimised for Texas Instruments silicon, and more general tools like the volt-amp-watt-meter based on the INA219.

Nordic comes with an interesting option: a universal ammeter with 8 logic inputs.
Picture

Hardware

The kit includes the ammeter in a translucid case, a 4-way cable and a 10-way cable.

The device features two USB ports: one for data and power, another for power only; a swtich button and a RGB LED whose colours are not documented.
Picture

Software

The installation of the software requires two steps:
  • First, install the generic nRF Connect for Desktop;
  • Then, from the application, install the Power Profiler.

Good point, the source code is open source and available at a GitHub repository. It is also platfrom agnostic and runs on Linux, Mac and Windows.

However, on Linux, the device was listed with lsusb but wasn't detected by the Power Profiler application. The documentation doesn't mention that Linux computers require an additional step:
  • Install the nrf-udev package, which contains udev rules for nRF development kits.
Picture

Usage

The ammeter operates in two different modes:
  • Source mode: The ammeter provides the power, limited to 600 mA;
  • Ampere mode: The ammeter measures the current, up to 1 A.

One the device has been selected and the mode set, the left pane offers other parameters, like the voltage to be supplied in source mode, the number of samples per second, up to 100 k, the duration, and the logic channels to monitor.
Picture
The RGB LED adapts its colour to the selected mode:
  • green: device connected:
  • red: source mode:
  • blue: ampere mode.

Surprisingly, the documentation doesn't mention the meaning of the different colours.
The ammeter records current in Ampere, time in seconds and electric charge in Coulomb. One Coulomb corresponds to one Ampere during one second.

To translate Coulomb into mWh, commonly used to rate the capacity of batteries, multiply the Coulomb by the voltage, and then by 3.6.
1 C Coulomb = 1 A Ampère × 1 s second
1 W Watt = 1 V Volt × 1 A Ampère
1 J Joule = 1 W Watt × 1 s second
1 J Joule = 1 V Volt × 1 A Ampère × 1 s second
1 J Joule = 1 V Volt × 1 C Coulomb
1 Wh Watt·hour = 3600 J Joule
1 mWh milliWatt·hour = 3.6 J Joule
1 mWh milliWatt·hour = 1 V Volt × 1 C Coulomb × 3.6
Additionally, the device can record up to 8 logic signals. This is a great way to identify parts of an application. Alas, there is no option to use those logic inputs as triggers, for example to start or stop the trace.

The connections are:
  • On the left, power: Vin and Vout with an external power supply, Vout in source mode, and ground.
  • On the right, input references for high and low signals, and 8 logic inputs.

In the example pictured, the device is configured on source mode and the USB cable supplies the power.
Picture
The Power Profiler application displays the recorded data with a very clear graphic. Data can also be exported as a CSV file, perfect for later analysis with a standard spreadsheet.

Data appears as rather noisy, and the application provides no filters.
Picture

Conclusion

At around EUR100, the Nordik Power Profiler II offers an insteresting solution for measuring power consumption of embedded systems.

The 8 logic inputs allow to set markers on the code to identify the specific parts of the applications under review.

The limitations I have experienced (incomplete procedure, lack of trigger feature) could be easily solved by updating the documentation and the software.
Picture

Pros

  • Platform agnostic application
  • Ease of use
  • Standard CSV output

Cons

  • Incomplete installation procedure for Linux
  • No trigger feature

Wrap-Up

  • Affordable solution
  • Intuitive software
  • Some features missing

Links

  • Product page
  • Software
Picture
Posted: 15 Apr 2022
Updated:
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.