S i 8 2 5 x M u l t i - P h a s e P O L - R D
Rev. 0.2
7
6. PMBus Operation
PMBus is a connectivity solution designed for networking multiple power supplies using a single management bus.
The Real-time Kernel provided with the Si825x Multi-Phase POL Reference Design includes optional support for
PMBus. In addition, the Si825x POL design kit also comes with a PMBus Monitor application and USB to SMBus
Bridge Board to manage the power supply through PMBus.
1. The PMBus Monitor software is installed during the initial software setup. (See "5. Development/Debug
Operation: Software Setup” on page 5.)
2. Connect the board as shown in "3. Si8250 Multi Phase POL Target Board Stand-Alone Operation” on page 3.
Note that the PMBus Monitor may also be operated with the USB Debug Adaptor. If this is desired, connect the
target board as shown in "4. Development/Debug Operation: Initial Hardware Setup” on page 4.
3. Drivers must be installed to allow the PMBus Monitor to communicate with the USB to SMBus Bridge Board.
The driver files are located by default in the "
Silabs\Power\Si825x AppBuilder\PMBus Monitor\USB-SMBus
Bridge Board Drivers
" directory. Run the
PreInstaller.exe
application. This program will copy the driver files to
the PC's "Program Files" directory and then register the driver files so the board will be recognized when it is
connected. Windows Logo testing warnings may appear. Press the
Continue Anyway
button.
4. Connect the USB to SMBus Bridge Board to an available USB slot on your PC with a USB cable.
5. Windows will open a
Found New Hardware Wizard
window. Press
Next
after selecting the
(Recommended)
option. Windows Logo testing warnings may appear. Press the
Continue Anyway
button. Press "Finish" to
finish installing the USB to SMBus Bridge Board.
6. Connect the Si8250 Multi-Phase POL Target Board to the USB to SMBus Bridge Board as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. USB to SMBus Bridge Board Connection (Load not Connected)
