Detailed Use Cases; Low-Power Application - Microchip Technology Power Debugger Manual

3.

Detailed Use Cases

A collection of use cases for the Power Debugger are outlined here. Each use case sets out to solve a given problem
in a certain scenario, and then provides a detailed account of how this can be achieved using the Power Debugger.
Low-Power (battery) Application
Different sleep modes of a basic low-power application are analyzed.
USB Application
Using the pass-through USB connection, the overall current consumption of a USB powered board is measured and
analyzed.
3.1

Low-Power Application

This use case uses a megaAVR
and Data Visualizer, we learn how it can be used to measure, analyze, understand, and optimize the power
consumption of a typical low-power application. We also look at an example of code instrumentation using the Data
Gateway Interface.
Important: The Data Visualizer used in this use case should not be confused with the MPLAB Data
Visualizer. These two applications have a similar feature set and the Power Debugger also works with the
MPLAB Data Visualizer, but the user interface is totally different. The Data Visualizer referred to in this use
case was originally named Atmel Data Visualizer.
The example makes use of the ATmega328PB Xplained Mini Board, but could very easily be adapted to suit any
simple custom board.
3.1.1 Requirements
To be able to work through this example, the following is required:
• Host computer with Atmel Studio 7 (or later) installed (Data Visualizer is included)
• Microchip Power Debugger Kit (cabling included)
• Microchip ATmega328PB Xplained Mini Kit, or similar target board
• Pin headers: one 2x3 100-mil ISP header; two 1x8 100-mil headers
• Access to basic soldering equipment
3.1.2 Initial Hardware Setup
A block diagram of the initial setup is shown here.
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2020 Microchip Technology Inc.
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device to introduce you to the Power Debugger. Using the tool with Atmel Studio
User Guide
Power Debugger
Detailed Use Cases
DS40002201A-page 9