AN-0035

PowIRCenter Installation and User Guide
About this document
Scope and purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide a comprehensive and easy to follow guide of the
PowIRCenter software. The scope applies to all the aspects of the software from installation totroubleshooting.
Intended audience
DC/DC power supply designers using the PowIRCenter software to program Infineon digital IC’s

Table of Contents
1

PowIRCenter Features.................................................................................................... 32

System Requirements .................................................................................................... 4

3
3.1.
3.2.

Installing the PowIRCenter through Infineon Toolbox........................................................ 5
Download and Install Infineon Toolbox ................................................................................................. 5
Installing the PowIRCenter through Infineon Toolbox .......................................................................... 64

Uninstall PowIRCenter .................................................................................................. 10

5
5.1

Hardware Setup ........................................................................................................... 11
Firmware Update................................................................................................................................... 11

6
6.1

Getting Started............................................................................................................. 12
Launching the GUI - for POL and Multi-Phase Devices......................................................................... 12

7

Main Screen Interface.................................................................................................... 14

8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6

Device Manager ............................................................................................................ 15
Tree View Structure ............................................................................................................................... 15
Dot Colors .............................................................................................................................................. 15
Add/Delete Devices ............................................................................................................................... 16
Move Device Up/Down .......................................................................................................................... 16
Editing Tree View Text and I2C/PMBus Address................................................................................... 16
Expand/Collapse Device Manager Tree View ....................................................................................... 17

9

New/Open/Save Board Designs....................................................................................... 18

10

System Status .............................................................................................................. 19

11

Clear Faults .................................................................................................................. 20

12

Auto Populate Devices ................................................................................................... 21

13

Read Registers from Devices .......................................................................................... 22

14

Device Level - Register Map (in “Full” PowIRCenter only) .................................................. 23

15

Device Level – Design Tools ............................................................................................ 24

16

Device Level – Utilities ................................................................................................... 25

17
17.1
17.2
17.3

Loop Level - PMBus interface ......................................................................................... 26
Command and Summary ...................................................................................................................... 26
PMBus Status ......................................................................................................................................... 27
Display Basic PMBus Commands (only for Acadia, Manhattan, and Rocky) ....................................... 28

Application Notewww.infineon.com

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18

Floating Status Window ................................................................................................. 29

19Group Vout Control ....................................................................................................... 3020Group Sequencing Control ............................................................................................. 31

21
21.1
21.2
21.3
21.4

Multi-Device Programmer .............................................................................................. 32
Important Note ...................................................................................................................................... 32
User Interface ........................................................................................................................................ 32
Programming Procedure ...................................................................................................................... 33
Verify Only.............................................................................................................................................. 33

22

I2C/PMBus Utility .......................................................................................................... 34

23

Linear Calculator Utility ................................................................................................ 35

24
24.1
24.2

File Format .................................................................................................................. 37
Configuration File .................................................................................................................................. 37
Board Design File................................................................................................................................... 38

25
25.1
25.2

Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................... 39
Error Message: “The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000135).” ..................................... 39
Error Message: “A Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or Java Development Kit (JDK) must be
available in order to run Infineon-Toolbox”......................................................................................... 39
Error Message: “(.NET) Unable to find a version of the runtime to run this application.”.................. 41
Issue: Cannot Communicate with the Chip (I2C / PMBus) ................................................................... 42
Issue: Text is misaligned or “floats”...................................................................................................... 46
Issue: PowIRCenter is extremely slow with the dongle plugged in. .................................................... 48
Issue: GUI cannot detect devices on the bus, or Autopopulate feature does not work ..................... 48
Issue: PowIRCenter design file (.pcd) vs. Multi-Device Programmer production File (.pdc) .............. 49
Issue: Customized device/loop text in the GUI..................................................................................... 50

25.3
25.4
25.5
25.6
25.7
25.8
25.9

Revision History ............................................................................................................................ 52

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1

PowIRCenter Features••••

Control and monitor up to 20 devices.
Supports Acadia, Baxter, Comanche, Lucas, Katahdin, Manhattan, Rocky, and Salem family devices.
Automatic dongle firmware update.
Dedicated screens foro PMBus commands and summaryo System status : Vin, Iin, Vout, Iout, Vcc, Temperature
o Register Map
o Group Vout Control: Margin High, Margin Low, and On/Offo Sequencing : On/Off delay, rise time, fall timeo Multiple-device programmer
o Design Wizards

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2

System Requirements•

Ensure that you are connected to the internet.

•

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 must be installed. This can be downloaded here (if the link does not work,
paste “http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17718” without the quotes into
your internet browser). After Click on Download, the following window shows,

Please uncheck all the recommends, and click on No thanks and continue.
o You can check which version of .NET you have by following the instructions here (if the link
does not work, paste “http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318785” without the quotes into
your internet browser).
•

Windows 7 or 8o•

If you’re using Windows 7 or 8, you may be prompted with a security warning whenever you run
a program. For this setup, allow these programs to run.

USB2.0 port (not compatible with USB3.0)

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3

Installing the PowIRCenter through Infineon Toolbox
The Infineon Toolbox is a launcher program that allows a user to install any Infineon program that isused for customer designs. The PowIRCenter, among other PMM GUIs, is available through thisprogram. To download it, follow the installation instructions below.
Also, note that the PowIRCenter has 2 operating modes: POL and Multiphase. The POL version does not
require a license and only allows access to the following part numbers:o IR35218
o IR36021
o IR38060
o IR38062
o IR38063
o IR38064
o IR38163
o IR38164
o IR38165
o IR38263
o IR38265
o IR38363
o IR38365
o IRPS5401
The Multiphase version is accessible with a valid license file, and allows access to all Infineon
Multiphase Parts. To get a license file, contact your Infineon FAE or representative.

3.1.

Download and Install Infineon Toolbox
1.

Administrator Access / Administrator Privilege: If you are not logged into an Administrator
account or your IT policy requires you to request Administrator privilege, you must gain
Administrator privilege before continuing the installation process. This process is specific toyour company. Contact your IT representative if you are unsure how to gain Administrator
privilege.

2.

Go to the Infineon Toolbox webpage by clicking here.
a. If the link does not work, copy and paste this URL into your browser (Internet Explorer,
Chrome, Firefox, etc.): http://www.infineon.com/toolbox

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3.

Scroll down to the bottom of the webpage and click “Download Now”. This will begin thedownload for the Infineon Toolbox installer.

If the option is given, save the file to the Desktop.
4.

Once the file is finished downloading, open it to run the installer.
a. On the first screen, read the agreement, select “I accept the agreement” if you accept theagreement, and click “Next”.
b. On the second screen, check “Create a desktop shortcut” if you would like a shortcut tolaunch the Infineon Toolbox to be created on your desktop. Click “Next”.
c. Click “Install”.
d. Wait for the download and installation to finish.
e. Make sure “Launch Infineon Toolbox” is checked and click “Finish”

3.2.

Installing the PowIRCenter through Infineon Toolbox
1.
2.

Application Note

Launch the Infineon Toolbox if it is not already running.
Select “Manage Tools” on the toolbar.

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3. In the search bar, enter “dcdc”

4. Scroll down the list until you find “PowIRCenter”. Click the Install button.

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5. Read through the license agreement, then click “Accept” if you accept it and the installation
process will begin.

6. During the installation, you may be prompted for your credentials to install “DPInst64” or“DPInst32”. This is the Silicon Labs driver installer, which is required to use the USB005 dongle.
7. After entering your credentials, click “Next” in the “Device Driver Installation Wizard”.

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8. Once the Driver finishes installing, click “Finish”

9. Back in the Toolbox, you will be prompted to restart the GUI. Click “Yes”.

10. Once the GUI restarts, you will see the PowIRCenter under “My tools”.
11. Launch the PowIRCenter by hovering over the “PowIRCenter” card and clicking “Start”

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Uninstall PowIRCenter
1

Hover over the PowIRCenter card and click the trashcan icon

2

Click “Yes” in the dialog window that appears.

3

Click “Yes” in the dialog window that appears to restart the Infineon Toolbox GUI.

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5

Hardware Setup

The typical setups are shown below. The USB005 dongle has two layers of firmware, the resident bootloader
layer which will not be modified is responsible for updating and flashing the application firmware. The GUI willprompt the user to update the application firmware if the GUI detects the current version is out-of-date.
CAUTION: the dongle firmware for the PowIRCenter GUI is not backward-compatible with older GUIs such as IR
DPDC GUI.

5.1

Firmware Update
The GUI will prompt the user to update the firmware if there is a newer firmware available. The user has
the option not to update, but updating is recommended.

Click Exit after the update.

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6

Getting Started

6.1

Launching the GUI - for POL and Multi-Phase Devices

Multi-phase devices, due to their proprietary technology, are generally restricted and require authorizationfrom Infineon to access information and use the devices.
1. Ask an IFX/IR FAE for IR DPDC License.txt file. Save this file on your Desktop, or some other easily
accessible location.
2. In the Infineon Toolbox, go to “My Tools” and mouse over the PowIRCenter card. If an update isavailable, click “Update”, then restart the GUI when prompted.

3. Once the Infineon Toolbox has restarted, mouse over the PowIRCenter card and click “Start” tolaunch the GUI.

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4. Once the GUI has launched, go to the “Help Menu  Activate License” and navigate to your IR
DPDC License.txt. Select it and click “Open”.

5. Once the file is successfully loaded, you will be prompted to restart you’re GUI. Relaunch the GUI as
in Step 3 and you can now continue using the program.

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7

Main Screen Interface

1. Menu
2. Board level commands and utilities
3. Device manager
4. Common area for system status, register map, PMBus command and summary
5. USB connection status.
6. Dongle hardware part number
7. Dongle firmware version
8. I2C/PMBus speed
9. License expiration days left
10. PMBus Online/Offline Modea. Only adjustable in when using PMBus in Acadia, Manhattan, and Rocky.
11. GUI status and message

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8

Device Manager

8.1

Tree View Structure

Device manager is a three level tree view structure - board level, device level, and loop level. The board level isthe root or board design, it cannot be deleted. When you add a new device, it will be attached under the board.
Depending on the number of loops and PMBus capability, the loop level will be automatically created under thedevice. In the example below, selecting Manhattan IR38063 adds 1 loop and Rocky IRPS5401 adds 5 loops.

8.2

Dot Colors

The colored dot in the device manager has different meaning.
Board Level:

Device Level:

Loop Level:

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8.3

Add/Delete Devices

To add a device, right-click the Device Manager and select a device under Add Device.
To delete a device, right-click the device in the Device Manager and select Delete Device.

8.4

Move Device Up/Down
1. Click the device to be reordered
2. Right click on Device Manager then click Move Device Up or Move Device Down

8.5

Editing Tree View Text and I2C/PMBus Address
1. Click the device or loop to be edited
2. Right click on Device Manager then click Edit Text/Address

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8.6

Expand/Collapse Device Manager Tree View

A button in the Menu Bar controls this function:

Click it once to collapse the Device Tree.
Click it again to expand the Device Tree.

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9

New/Open/Save Board Designs

A Board Design File contains all the information for a board design, such has the number of devices, the familyof each device, its load model, and its configuration file information. The GUI requires this information toaccurately model the device’s behavior.

Click this icon to start a new board design. This will clear all devices from the Device Tree.

Click this icon to open an existing board design from a file.
Click this icon to save the current board design to a file.

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10

System Status

Clicking the board level in the device manager will show all devices vital data in a series of “status meters”.
Here is an explanation of a status meter’s display: All data displayed here is read from the controller.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Device title text copied from the tree view
Loop title text copied from the tree view – Green = Normal; Orange = PMBus Alert; Red = Fault
Vin – input voltage
Iin – input current (where applicable. Not all devices measure Iin.)
Vcc – IC bias supply (typically 3.3V)
Vout
Iout total current
Temperature
Loop Power on/off indicator – Green = loop on; Grey = loop off

If the loop has faults, move the mouse cursor to the loop title area to make the fault details appear.

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Clear Faults

Clicking the clear faults icon will clear all alarms or fault registers if the faults conditions are corrected.

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Auto Populate Devices

This utility scans the PMBus and populates the GUI with all devices found.

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13

Read Registers from Devices

This utility reads all registers of all devices and updates the GUI. The user should perform the read registers
operation after adding devices or auto populating devices.

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14

Device Level - Register Map (in “Full” PowIRCenter only)

Click a device in the device manager to bring up the register map of the device. You can load/save theconfiguration file or read/write registers.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Register Map tab
Design Tools tab – Contains tools to configure control registers
Utilities tab – Contains tools to assist system or board design
Tree view. Click to select a register. 5 – 9 are associated with tree view.
5. Tree view register description
6. Tree view register value (for reading or writing)
7. Tree view register value decoded.
8. Read the tree view register
9. Write the tree view register
10. Map view. Click to select a register. 11 – 14 are associated with map view.
11. Map view register address
12. Map view register data
13. Write the map view register
14. Read the map view register
15. Read all registers and update register map in area 10
16. Write all registers in area 10 to the device
17. Load a configuration file
18. Save user and manufacture section to a configuration file
19. Load a standard (preset) configuration file from the provided list.
20. Register Map Status
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15

Device Level – Design Tools

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16

Device Level – Utilities

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17

Loop Level - PMBus interface

Clicking a loop in the device manager will bring up the PMBus interface of the loop. You can read/write
individual PMBus command and monitor all PMBus command values.

17.1

Command and Summary

1. Select a PMBus command to read or write from the drop-down list.
2. Sort the PMBus command list by Command Code. Click again to sort by Command Name. Default issort by Command Name.
3. Set a new value of the command – this area changes based upon the selected command
4. Description of the command
5. Read the selected PMBus command
6. Write the selected PMBus command with a new value
7. Toggle to enable or disable Continuous PMBus Command Updates. If enabled, PMBus values will
update every second.
8. Update PMBus Command once. If Continuous PMBus Command Updates is enabled, this button isdisabled.
9. PMBus commands summary. Clicking any entry in the summary table will change the command in
the drop-down list.

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17.2

PMBus Status

PMBus status is updated every second.
• Red – alarm or fault• Black - normal• Gray – not supported

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17.3

Display Basic PMBus Commands (only for Acadia, Manhattan, and Rocky)

These 3 devices have an option to filter the command list down to a few basic controls. This is selected byticking the “Basic Commands” option at the bottom of the PMBus Page. To view the full list of PMBus
commands, tick the “All Commands” option.

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Floating Status Window

18

When a device or loop is selected, a floating status meter will appear to show all vital data of the device. The
floating status meter can be placed anywhere on the screen so the status can be monitored as device changes
or PMBus commands are sent. Click button 10 to minimize the floating meter to the lower left corner:

Double clicking will bring it back:1. Device title text (set in the tree view)
2. Loop title text (set in the tree view)-

Green = Normal;
Orange = Fault related to PMBus;
Red = Fault related to Fail code

3. Vin – input voltage
4. Iin – input current (where applicable. Not all devices measure Iin.)
5. Vcc – device bias voltage e.g. 3.3V
6. Vout
7. Iout total current
8. Temperature
9. Loop on/off indicator – Green = loop on; Black = loop off
10. Minimize the status meter

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19

Group Vout Control

This interface facilitates using the PMBus GROUP command to turn on/off all devices at the same time.

1. Select or deselect all loops
2. Assign colors to all loops automatically
3. List of all loops for Vout control
4. Device title text
5. Loop title text
6. Vout voltage setting
7. Margin high setting & percentage above
Vout
8. Margin low setting & percentage below
Vout

Application Note

9. Real time voltage display. Updated every
second10. Set Vout voltage using VOUT_COMMAND
11. Turn on selected devices using
OPERATION group command
12. Immediate Turn off selected device using
OPERATION group command
13. Soft Turn off selected devices using
OPERATION group command
14. Margin voltage high on selected devices
15. Margin voltage low on selected devices

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20

Group Sequencing Control

Sequencing control allows the user to edit TON_DELAY, TON_RISE, TOFF_DELAY, and TOFF_FALL of all loops atonce and visualize their relationship graphically.

1. Select or deselect all loops
2. Assign random colors to all loops
automatically
3. Select or deselect individual loop
4. Set color to each Vout trace
5. Device title text copied from device
manager tree view.
6. Loop title text copied from device
manager tree view.

Application Note

7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

31

TON_DELAY setting
TON_RISE setting
TOFF_DELAY setting
TOFF_FALL setting
TON_DELAY in graphic
TON_RISE in graphic
TOFF_DELAY in graphic
TOFF_FALL in graphic
Write settings to all the devices on theselected bus.

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Multi-Device Programmer

21
21.1
•

Important Note
During programming, all devices must be disabled. If the programmer detects that any device isregulating, the programmer won’t start.

21.2

User Interface

1. Device title text copied from device manager tree view
2. I2C address copied from device manager tree view. These are chip addresses before programming.
3. Click to load a configuration file
4. Select/deselect programming the user section or select/deselect individual device
5. Select/deselect programming the MFR section or select/deselect individual device
6. Trim section MTP left
7. Trim section programming result pass (green) or fail (red). Only used in special applications.
8. Trim section verification result pass (green) or fail (red). Only used in special applications.
9. User section MTP left
10. User section programming result pass (green) or fail (red)11. User section verification result pass (green) or fail (red)12. MFR section MTP left
13. MFR section programming result pass (green) or fail (red)14. MFR section verification result pass (green) or fail (red)15. CRC flags of trim, user, and MFR section after executing Check MTP Left or Verify operation. 0 = Pass;
1 = CRC error
16. Programming log area
17. Load a production file
18. Save selected configuration files to a single production file.
19. Check MTP remaining then update box 6 and 9
20. Verify selected devices and update box 8 and 11
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21. Program and verify button

21.3

Programming Procedure
1. Click and load individual configuration file of each device or load a production file
2. Make sure all device i2c communications are good (blue color). If there are any i2c issues, it should
be resolved before programming unless these devices are excluded from programming.
3. Click Check MTP Left to make sure there are MTP left.
4. Check user and MFR section of each device that you wish to configure.
5. Click Program & Verify
6. Review programming log if there are any failures.

21.4

Verify Only
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Cycle board power
Load board design file
Make sure all i2c communications are good
Click multi-device programmer icon
Click Verify Only button

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I2C/PMBus Utility

22•‘Scan i2c’ sends slave addresses from 0x08 to 0x77 (skipping 0x0C because it’s the ARA address) andchecks if the address is ACKed.

•‘Scan PMBus’ sends MFR_ID command from address 1 to 127 and check if any IR controllers respond.

•

Most IR controllers can operate at 400 KHz by default. Some devices can operate at 1MHz, but 1MHz
operation register has to be enabled.

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23

Linear Calculator Utility

The Linear calculator is used to convert between PMBus linear format byte data and real numbers. The
calculator has two separate conversion interfaces. The top calculator is for two bytes linear format data:

Exponent = High Byte [7:3]
Mantissa = High Byte [2:0] + Low byte [7:0]

Value = Mantissa * (2 ^ Exponent)

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The bottom calculator is for output voltage related parameters that use VOUT_MODE [4:0] for exponent inlinear format.

1. Real value to be converted
2. Convert real value to mantissa and exponent. Exponent can be preset and will not change during
conversion.
3. Convert mantissa and exponent to real value
4. Mantissa
5. Exponent
6. Convert mantissa and exponent format to high byte and low byte
7. Convert high byte and low byte data to mantissa and exponent format
8. High byte
9. Low Byte
10. VOUT_MODE exponent value of the linear format
11. VOUT_COMMAND high byte
12. VOUT_COMMAND low byte
13. Vout voltage
14. Convert VOUT_COMMAND high/low byte to Vout voltage based on VOUT_MODE exponent
15. Convert Vout voltage to VOUT_COMMAND high/low byte based on VOUT_MODE exponent

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File Format

24
24.1

Configuration File

Each device can have its own configuration file, which contains the information required to program the device.
It can come in 3 formats: 3-Column Configuration File, ATE Configuration File (AKA CRC32 Configuration File),and Intel Hex Format.
The user can save the configuration file by clicking the Device Level of a device, selecting the Register Map tab,and then clicking the “Save Config File” button. In the new dialog box, the user can select the configuration fileformat, set the name of the file, and select the location to save the file to.
To load a configuration file, click the Device Level of a device, select the Register Map tab, then click the “LoadConfig File” button. Find the targeted configuration file and click “Open”.
3-Column Configuration File (recommended for most users)
This file format uses 3 columns separated by white space, like 00 55 FF. The first part is the register address,
the second part is the data, and the third part is the mask. Because some register bits like password cannot be
verified after programming, the mask is used to indicate if the corresponding register bit needs to be verified(mask bit = 1) or ignored (mask bit = 0).
ATE Configuration File
This file format is most commonly used by ATE engineers. The GUI generates data in 3 columns separated bywhite space (similar to the 3-Column Configuration File format), but the data is formatted with hex notationand contains a CRC32 for verification purposes.
Intel Hex Format
This file format was created by Intel as a standard for programming devices, such as microcontrollers. Each line
contains the following information:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Start Code – Signified by a “:” character
Byte Count – 2 Hex digits, indicating the number of bytes in the data field. We use 10h (16d).
Starting Address – Register Address from which to start programming the data.
Data Type – Data type of the Data Field. We use Hex Data Type, which is represented by “00h”.
Data – The Register Data. Contains 16 2-byte pairs.
Checksum – Checksum calculated across all previous bytes in that line. It’s calculated by summing
all previous bytes together, taking the LSB, and performing a 2’s complement on that value.

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24.2

Board Design File

The board design file contains the complete board design information of all devices.
1. Register values of all devices
2. User interface settings
3. Board design components like inductors, capacitors, resistors, and power stages.
Some examples of the saved data are:Load Model (Capacitors, Inductors, DCR, MOSFETs, Loadline)

Register Map (Configuration File)

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25

Troubleshooting

25.1

Error Message: “The application failed to initialize properly(0xc0000135).”

USBXpress Driver was not installed correctly.
1. Uninstall the PowIRCenter (See “Section 4: Uninstall PowIRCenter”).
2. Give yourself Administrator Privileges (if necessary)
3. Reinstall PowIRCenter (See “Section 3.2 Installing the PowIRCenter through Infineon Toolbox”),
making sure to run DPInst32 / DPInst64.

25.2

Error Message: “A Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or Java
Development Kit (JDK) must be available in order to run InfineonToolbox”
You may see the following error when trying to install or start up the Infineon Toolbox:

This is an issue with some computers that already have Java Runtime Environment installed.
Open a Windows Explorer window and navigate to “C:\Infineon\Toolbox\jre\”

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Select the folder “jre”, right-click it, and select Copy.

Navigate up one level by clicking the Up Arrow or by clicking “Toolbox” in the Address Bar. You will now
be at “C:\Infineon\Toolbox”

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Right-click and select “Paste”

Once it is finished copying, try running the Infineon Toolbox again.

25.3

Error Message: “(.NET) Unable to find a version of the runtime to run
this application.”A version of .NET was not installed, or was installed incorrectly.
1. Go to StartControl PanelAdd/Remove Programs. Check that you have both of the following
entries: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 & Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0. The Service Pack number
does not matter.
2. If one or both are not installed, Framework 2.0 can be found here and Framework 4.0 can be foundhere. Download and install the missing files, then retry running the program.
3. If they are installed, remove both, then download the install files using the links above. Afterwards,
reinstall Framework 2.0 first, then Framework 4.0.

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25.4

Issue: Cannot Communicate with the Chip (I2C / PMBus)
Check that the GUI can connect to the USB005 dongle. In the bottom left of the GUI, there are threestatus boxes.
If the left-most cell is red, that means that the GUI and USB005 are not connected. Continue to step 1.

If the left-most cell is green, but the middle cell reads “HW: USBxxxX” and the right cell reads “FW: 0.0”, this means
the USBXpress Driver has installed correctly, but you do not have the right driver version in your IR PowIRCenter
folder. Continue to step 3.

If the left-most cell is green, the middle cell reads “HW: USB005A”, and right cell does not read “FW:0.0”, continue to step 4.

1. Check that the USB is connected to a port in the back of the computer/laptop or to an externally
powered USB hub. The reason for this is that in many computers and laptops, the side and front
USB ports have a reduced power supply. This can cause communication problems in our USB005
dongle.
2. Check that the USBXpress Driver is correctly installed.
a. Connect the board to the computer.
b. Open the Device Manager by clicking Start, right-clicking Computer, selecting Properties,
and clicking Device Manager.

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PowIRCenter Installation and User Guidec. Expand the section titled Universal Serial Bus controllers. There should be an entry named
USBXpress Device.

If you have the USBXpress Device, go to Step 3.
If there is not, you will need to reinstall the USBXpress driver.
d. Navigate to your installation directory (default: “C:\IR PowIRCenter”).
e. Double-click the folder called SiLabsDriver.
f.

Double-click the file called “install.cmd”. This will attempt to install the driver again.

3. The next step is to verify that the SiUSBXp.dll is the correct version.
Note: If you installed the driver through the IR PowIRCenter Installation Package.exe, you should be
able to detect the dongle by this point. If you are still having issues, contact an IR/Infineon
representative who will be able to assist you.
a. Navigate to your IR PowIRCenter installation directory (default: “C:\IR PowIRCenter”).
b. Find the file named SiUSBXp.dll in the directory.
c. Rename it to “SiUSBXp.dll_backup”.
d. Open a Windows Explorer window and navigate to “C:\SiLabs\MCU”.
e. Double-click the folder named “USBXpress_SDK”
i. If this folder does not exist, double-click the folder named “USBXpress” instead.
f.

Double-click the folder “Examples”

g. Double-click the folder “CP210x”
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h. Double-click the folder “Windows”
i.

There should be a file named “SiUSBXp.dll” in this folder. Copy it to your IR PowIRCenter
installation directory.

j.

Relaunch the GUI and check if the left-most cell is green, the middle cell reads “HW:
USB005A”, and right cell does not read “FW: 0.0”:

If it looks like the above picture, continue to step 4.
If it does not, contact an IR FAE who can help you.
4. Click the Auto Populate Device button in the top left.

This will scan the bus for any IR parts. If they are detected, they will automatically appear in the left
hand column.

If nothing appears, continue with the steps below to debug the issue.
a. Check that 3.3V power to the IR controller is connected properly and that the supply is on.
b. Check for proper SDA, SCL, & GND connections between the USB005A and the I2C Header
on the Board under Test.
c. Check that the address is correct. To scan for the address of the device under test, click the
I2C Bus button.

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In the window that appears, click the “Scan I2C/PMBus Address” button.

This will scan the bus for any IR parts (skipping over any reserved addresses such as 0x0A). If any parts aredetected, they will appear in the window above:

If the part number is not correct, it will appear as an unknown device:

5. The I2C cable between the USBI2C Board and the I2C Header on the Board under Test should
be short (i.e., 20cm or less) and the SDA, SCL, & GND lines twisted together.

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25.5

Issue: Text is misaligned or “floats”

This issue is caused by how Windows handles Text Magnification at Medium (125%). This can be fixed byswitching to Smaller (100%) or Larger (150%).

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1. Right-click your desktop and select “Personalize”

2. In the bottom-left corner, click “Display”

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3. You should see 3 options: Smaller – 100%; Medium – 125% (default) ; Larger – 150%

4. Select either Smaller or Larger, then click “Apply”. This will resize everything on your display.

25.6

Issue: PowIRCenter is extremely slow with the dongle plugged in.

This issue is most likely caused by plugging the dongle into a USB 3.0 port (blue socket). The problem is a bug in
the USBXpress Driver and can only be resolved by plugging the dongle into a USB 2.0 port (non-blue socket).

25.7

Issue: GUI cannot detect devices on the bus, or Autopopulate featuredoes not work

There are a few possibilities for this issue:
The USB005 dongle is plugged into a USB3.0 port.
1. Unplug the USB005 dongle if it is plugged in.
2. Check that dongle connector is not blue. If the port is blue, this indicates that it is a USB3.0 port.
3. Plug the dongle into a non-blue, USB2.0 port (these are often white or yellow).
The device or devices are not powered.
1. Check that each device is receiving 3.3V on the Vcc pin.

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25.8

Issue: PowIRCenter design file (.pcd) vs. Multi-Device Programmer
production File (.pdc)
These two file format may be confusing due to their similar extension name.

•.pcd file is the PowIRCenter design file. It can be opened from File->Open Board Design… for loading
the board properties into the GUI, so that the design tool and utilities can be used to configure devices.

•.pdc file is the production file. It can be loaded from Multi-Device Programmer for board programming
purpose.
To load a production file, please follow the steps as below:
1. Connect dongle and board.
2. Click on Auto-Populate

to generate all the devices on the Board to the device tree.

The linked image cannot be
display ed. The file may havebeen mov ed, renamed, ordeleted. Verify that the linkpoints to the correct file andlocation.

3. Click on Multi-Device Programmer
automatically populated as below,

to launch the programming tool. The device list should be

4. Click on Load Production File at the left lower corner to load .pdc file.

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25.9

Issue: Customized device/loop text in the GUI
Device and loop texts can be changed and saved in the PowIRCenter design file (.pcd) for user’s
convenience.
There are two ways to achieve this:1) Change from the GUI.
a) Right click on the device in the device tree and click Edit Text/Address from the dropdown menub) With the CombinedAddressEditor, user can edit the I2C/PMBus addresses and also device and loop
texts.

c) After going through changing for each device, the board status and device tree will present the
updated text.

d) Click on File->Save Board Design… The loop/device text changes will be saved into the design file.
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2) Change directly from board design file (.pcd)a) Open the board design file and search for “LoopText” or “DeviceText” to change them. Save after
finished.

b) Load the changed board design file into GUI.

NOTE: Device/loop text information are only stored in board design file (.pcd), not in single configuration file (.txt).

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Revision History
Major changes since the last revision
Page or Reference
1.1

Description of change
•
•
•
•

1.2

•

1.3

•
•
•
•

Exposed the link for Microsoft .NET v4.0
Exposed the link for Microsoft Help Documentation on how to find out your version of .NET
Exposed the link to log into the IR FTP server. This allows the user to copy/paste the address if thelink does not work.
Changed the picture for the IR PowIRCenter Installation Package.
Added Troubleshooting section. This should help handle frequently asked questions and issues.
Updated Installation Guide to reflect USBXpress v4.0 and new Installation Flow
Added Issue: Text is misaligned or “floats” to Troubleshooting section, per Ramesh
Balasubramaniam’s request.
Added Issue: PowIRCenter is extremely slow with the dongle plugged in.
Fixed references to USBXpress driver.

1.4

•

1.5

•
•
•

Added steps to the Installation Guide to deal with IT policies.
Changed the process of downloading IR PowIRCenter
Added Issue: Unable to download updates due to proxy servers requirement
Added description for loop text background color orange.

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Added solution to Microsoft Recommends when downloading Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0.
Added installation instructions for standalone (POL) version
Clarified the instructions on some of the steps.
Updated the Table of Contents to reflect page changes
Updated the footer date to 2016.
System requirements are: Win 7, 8 + USB2.0 (not compatible with USB3.0)
Troubleshooting: Autopopulate difficulties: check if using USB3.0 port and switch to USB2.0 port•

Added Issue: PowIRCenter design file (.pcd) vs. Multi-Device Programmer production File(.pdc)
Added Issue: Customized device/loop text in the GUI

1.6

1.7

•

1.8

•
•
•

Application Note

Changed the Installation Procedure to take into account the new flow with the Infineon Toolbox
and the removal of the FTP server. This affects Section 3, 4, and 6.
Removed a few Troubleshooting items related to the new flow that are no longer applicablebecause the FTP server will be shut down.
Added a Troubleshooting item related to missing Java Runtime Environment

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Trademarks of Infineon Technologies AG
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Trademarks updated August 2015
Other Trademarks
All referenced product or service names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Edition <2019-01-02>
Published byInfineon Technologies AG
81726 Munich, Germany© 2019 Infineon Technologies AG.
All Rights Reserved.
Do you have a question about thisdocument?
Email: erratum@infineon.com
AppNote Number
Document reference AN-0035

IMPORTANT NOTICE
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