2 Graphical User Interface (GUI)
A GUI that allows access to the individual registers is available for download in the software section of the MCPF1412M06 product page. To use the GUI, an MCP2221A breakout module is required (available separately as either the MCP2221A Breakout Module or MCP2221A Breakout Board USB C. This module can be connected as shown in Figure 1-1.
Using the GUI
- Power on the evaluation board using the input power supply.
- Launch the GUI application.
The GUI program will automatically detect and connect to the MCPF1412M06 device and begin communication. At the top of the window is a check box labeled “Check connection status periodically.” When checked, the GUI will periodically send write commands to verify the connection status. If the MCPF1412M06 becomes disconnected or is powered down while this option is selected, the GUI will detect the disconnection in the status bar at the bottom of the application window. Once the device is reconnected or powered up, the GUI will automatically re-establish communication.
Clicking the “Read All” button will read all values in the relevant section. Clicking the “Write All” button will write all displayed values to the MCPF1412M06. Within the GUI, register bits are color-coded as follows:
- Green: Read/Write access
- Red: Reserved or unused bits
- Grey: Read-only access
Figure 2-1 illustrates the register access page of the GUI. From this page, all device registers can be accessed and, where permitted, modified. The left side of the screen displays decoded information for key registers, which can be read or written using the associated controls. On the right side, individual registers can be accessed directly at the bit level (using the bar at the top) or by entering hexadecimal values in the adjacent cells. A running log of device communication is displayed at the bottom of the window. In the top right corner, the “Status” section includes a “Read automatically” checkbox, which, when selected, will periodically update the values shown in the “Status” area.
Figure 2-2 illustrates the PMBus access section of the GUI, where all supported PMBus commands can be accessed. The left side of the screen displays a list of available PMBus commands. Selecting a command from this list populates the right side of the window with controls for configuring and executing that command. At the top of the window, there are buttons to read from or write to the selected command. Some PMBus commands do not require data and simply instruct the MCPF1412M06 to perform a specific action. In these cases, clicking the Write button will send the command to the device and initiate the corresponding action.