4.4 Power Supply
There are three ways to provide power to the kit:
• The kit can be connected to, and powered by, a Silicon Labs MCU STK
• The kit can be connected to, and powered by, a Raspberry Pi
• If the kit is connected to a Silicon Labs MCU STK, the kit can also be powered through the Mini Simplicity Connector.
Note:
Connecting the WGM110 Wi-Fi Expansion Kit to both an STK and a Raspberry Pi at the same time is not a valid option.
When connected to a Silicon Labs MCU STK, the WGM110 Wi-Fi Module can either be powered by the VMCU rail present on the Ex-
pansion Header, or through an LDO regulator on board the Wireless Expansion Board. The LDO regulator draws power from the 5V
net, and hence, the power consumption of the WGM110 Wi-Fi Module will not be included in any AEM measurements performed by the
MCU STK. A mechanical power switch on the Wireless Expansion Board is used to select between Low Power (AEM) mode and High
Power (LDO) mode. When the switch is set to Low Power (AEM) mode, the WGM110 Wi-Fi Module is connected to the VMCU net on
the Expansion Header. When the switch is set to High Power (LDO) mode, the WGM110 Wi-Fi Module is connected to the output of the
LDO. For applications requiring high power consumption, or when the WGM110 Wi-Fi Expansion Kit is connected to a Raspberry Pi,
the power switch must be set to High Power (LDO) mode.
The power topology is illustrated in the figure below.
Expansion
Header
Raspberry Pi
Connector
Mini Simplicity
Connector
Power
Switch
Low
Power
(AEM)
High
Power
(LDO)
VMCU
LDO
IN
OUT
3.3 V
5V
3V3
WGM110
Wi-Fi Module
5V
Figure 4.5. WGM110 Wi-Fi Expansion Kit Power Topology
The power supply options are summarized in
Table 4.4 WGM110 Wi-Fi Expansion Kit Power Options on page 15
. Information on
placement of the power switch and the connectors can be found in Section
2.1 Hardware Layout
.
Table 4.4. WGM110 Wi-Fi Expansion Kit Power Options
Host
Host MCU
STK Power
Switch
Debugger (STK) Power
Switch
Wireless Expansion Board
Power Switch
Power Source
MCU STK
AEM
BAT
Low power (AEM)
MCU STK provides power to
both MCU and radio board.
MCU STK
AEM
BAT
High power (LDO)
MCU is powered by MCU
STK. Radio board is pow-
ered by LDO on the Wire-
less Expansion Board
MCU STK
BAT
AEM
Low power (AEM)
External STK debugger pro-
vides power to both MCU
and radio board.
UG291: WGM110 Wi-Fi® Expansion Kit User's Guide
Wireless EXP Board
silabs.com
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