OpenUPS2

11-24V Intelligent DC-DC Uninterruptible Power Supply using LiFePO4

New Feature 13-24V Intelligent DC-DC Uninterruptible Power Supply using Li-Ion (section 7.6)

Before you start…
Often times, rushing into installing the unit can result in serious damage to your OPENUPS2 board or computer. Always double check the polarity of your wires with a voltmeter.

Always double check the polarity of the batteries before introducing into the UPS device.
Improper configuration leads to system damage!!!
Use batteries from same lot, same age with same resting voltage for best results.

Introduction

The openUPS2 was designed to provide user specified regulated power output from a wide input voltage, battery backup, LiFePO4 (18650 size) battery charging and cell balancing in a single PCBA.
Battery cells are integrated in the device, no need for special cabling between cells and UPS.
The UPS contains a synchronous boost Converter with high accuracy voltage and current regulation and automatic system power path selection from adapter or battery.
It charges the battery in three phases: preconditioning, constant current/constant voltage mode.
The unit can be used as an embedded UPS or as a Portable Energy Pack providing user regulated 12V-24V wherever is needed.

Features

openUPS2 features include:

• USB interface, works with Windows devices (Linux API planned)
  
• SMBUS slave
  
• Input between 11-24V
  
• Programmable voltage thresholds
  
• Generate any output voltage between 12-24V, booster based design
  
• Supports LiFePO4 (3.2V) battery chemistry
  
• Supports Li-Ion (3.7V) battery chemistry
  
• 3 state charger(precharge,constant current/constant voltage)
  
• Balances 3 series batteries.
  
• Charge voltage 3x3.5V, charge current 1A, precharge current 0.3A
  
• Coulomb counting
  
• Battery temperature monitoring for each cell and temperature compensated charging
  
• Start/Stop button
  
• Relay output
  
• External LED connection
  
• Motherboard ON/OFF pulse control*
  
• Missing battery cells detection
  
• Ultra low power consumption(1uA- in Deep Sleep mode) or (530uA- in Sleep mode)
  
• Windows detects device as “Battery”, no special drivers required **
• Physical dimensions

* MotherBoard ON/OFF control
The device is able to send ON/OFF 'pulse signals' to motherboard based on coulomb counter and/or battery voltage level, or based on input voltage level or when starting by button
** Windows “no driver support”
Installs itself as a battery in Windows, using the Windows hid driver without any driver installation, visible as an icon in tray bar.

Diagram & Schematics

Pin1 is marked with red color.

Connection diagram

Block schematics of the UPS

3D Step Model - download

Connectors

Power Input connectors

P1 Input (4pin mini-FIT JR)

P1.1,P1.2-GND

P1.3,P1.4-Input voltage

P2 Output (4 pin mini-FIT JR)

P2.1,P2.2-GND

P2.3,P2.4-Output voltage

Interface connectors

P3 USB header (JST PH connector, 5pin)

P3.1: +5V

P3.2: USB D-

P3.3: USB D+

P3.4: NC

P3.5: GND

P4 bottom side programming header, bootloader jumper, MCU reset (POGO pins)

P4.1: nMCLR

P4.2: GND

P4.3: +3.3V

P4.4: PGD

P4.5: PGC

P6 Motherboard POWER SW connection, no polarity (JST PH connector, 3pin)

P6.1: SW1

P6.2: GND

P6.3: SW2

P7 External Led header in parallel connection with D10 (JST PH connector, 2pin)

P7.1: Cathode connection

P7.2:+3.3V, Anode connection

P8 SMBUS slave header (JST PH connector, 4pin)

P8.1: +3.3V

P8.2: SMBUS CLOCK

P8.3: SMBUS DATA

P8.4: GND

P9 Relay output (JST PH connector, 2pin)

P10 Start/Stop button header (JST PH connector, 2pin)

Display connectors

Relay output

Relay Connection

D10 Green Led, in parallel with P7

External LED

Bootloader Mode

It is recommended that you only connect USB power to the device 
when making a firmware update via “bootloader mode”.

There are two ways to enter in bootloader mode: 1a) or 1b).
1a) Short connections between P4.4 and P4.5, than connect the unit to USB to enter bootloader mode OR
1b) Press the Enter Bootloader button on the configuration software's user interface.
2) Start the HIDBootLoader.exe software provided to flash the new firmware.
3) Press Open new Hex File for LiFePO4 or new Hex File for LiIon .
4) Locate the hex file and open it.
5) Press Program/Verify.
6) Press Reset Device.
7) After the device reconnects on USB with the configuration software the new firmware version will be displayed in the title bar of the software.

Getting started

Before you start you would need to connect the unit to USB and configure:
- Mode of Operation
- battery capacity (default is 1000mAh)
- output voltage (default is 12V)
- Low power mode (default is Sleep mode) see UPSCONFIG2 parameter for detail - other advanced configuration parameters if needed

NOTE: After changing parameters the device needs to be restarted so the new configuration becomes active. Restart the UPS by pressing the restart button in the user configuration software. It is recommended to disconnect large loads at the output of the UPS before pressing the restart button on the user interface.

Warning: Improper configuration (ex: wrong under-voltage, over-voltage), reverse polarity can lead to battery damage or your system damage (ex: wrong output value)

UPS Configuration

The UPS can behave differently depending on settings. The OPENUPSMODE parameter sets this behaviour.

0-Autorestart when input is present=yes 	(UPS)
1-Autorestart when input is present=no	   	(LAPTOP)
2-Energy Pack mode			   	(ON/OFF)

Mode 0 and 1

When using the UPS embedded in a system together with a motherboard the modes 0 and 1 should be used.

Connect USB header P3 to the motherboard's internal USB header. USB connection is used to sense the motherboard's ON or OFF state.

Connect P6 header's 1 and 3 pins to the motherboard's POWER SW header. (cable provided). Connect P10 header to a push button. This push button completely eliminates the need for any additional buttons to start or stop your system.

Starting your system

Mode 0 - when adapter input voltage is present a momentary pulse is sent through P6 header starting your system immediately.

Mode 1 - the momentary pulse is not sent and your system will not be started but battery charging is possible just like in a laptop.

Mode 2

In this mode the UPS can be a portable energy pack. Shutting down the UPS does not depend on USB connection. With the use of a push button connected to the P10 header you can instantly start and stop the UPS's output when running on battery. Connecting input power will charge the pack just like in any other modes. It also acts as an UPS providing uninterrupted output in this mode. This mode is recommended for powering devices other than motherboards or for portable energy use when working on the field and regulated 12-24V power is needed from batteries.

Stopping your system

When your system is up and running you can always stop it by pressing again on the push button or by shutting down from the OS(Operating System).
In case your system is on battery and under-voltage situation is present it will be automatically shut down.

When the system is on battery and it is shut down by OS the UPS can also immediately shut down to preserve battery. This is a configurable feature.

When the UPS runs on batteries for a predefined time can initiate a shut down sequence. This is configurable feature.

NOTES:
- When the UPS is shutting down it senses the motherboard's state by measuring the +5VUSB signal.
  If the motherboard was shut down by the OS (+5VUSB is not present) no pulse will be sent.
- When shutting down from battery If the OS does not graciously shut down during 
  predetermined UPS_HARDOFF_TOUT (60s by default) the motherboard will be forced off 
  by turning off the UPS's output in order to conserve the battery.

Output configuration

There are two ways of setting the output voltage.
1)If bit0 in UPS_CONFIG parameter is set to '1' the output value is set by the OUT_VOLTAGE parameter.(default is 12V)
2)If bit0 in UPS_CONFIG is set to '0' the the output value is set by the configuration switch P5 on the back side of the unit.

The hardcoded values depending the switches position are:

P5.1	P5.2	P5.3	OUTPUT[V]
OFF	OFF	OFF	12V
OFF	OFF	ON	13.5V
OFF	ON	OFF	15V
OFF	ON	ON	16V
ON	OFF	OFF	18V
ON	OFF	ON	19V
ON	ON	OFF	21V
ON	ON	ON	24V

The second method is useful when using the UPS in Mode 2 as a Portable Energy Pack on the field to configure the required output voltage.

Temperature compensated charge current regulation

The temperature threshold parameters can be adjusted from software.

The configurable parameters are: CHG_TEMP_COLD < CHG_TEMP_COOL < CHG_TEMP_WARM < CHG_TEMP_HOT.

Setting Power plans under Windows Operating Systems (Vista, Windows 7)

1) Right click on the battery icon from the tray bar then choose power options from the context menu. Alternatively you can choose Power Option also from Control Panel Items.

2) Select/Create a power plan or modify existing ones.

3) In the Change Advanced Power Settings section, the critical and low battery levels and actions can be also modified

NEW FEATURE, Configuring OPENUPS2 to work with Li-ION 3.7V

Recomended input power supply should provide >=13V and capable of providing at least 1A for charging + the current needed to sustain the required output power. Using a 12V power supply is not recomended for Li-ION since the input would be close to battery voltage or lower and the batteries can't be charged enough and the system will run mostly on batteries.

PCB changes:

Resistor R20 should be changed to 576k, charge voltage is set to 12.168V (3x4.056V)

Proposed part number and description: RES 576K OHM 1/10W 1% 0603 SMD

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/RC0603FR-07576KL/311-576KHRTR-ND/727311

Firmware and parameter changes:

Update the device with Li-Ion version of firmware which includes support for Li-Ion chemistry!

It can be downloaded from [1]

The default parameters for Li-Ion are as below:

UPS_VCELL_MIN_START =3.6V

UPS_VCELL_MIN_STOP =3.3V

UPS_VCELL_MIN_HARD_STOP=3V

CHG_VCOND=3.3V

CHG_BULK_STOP_VOLTAGE= 4.1V

CHG_START_VOLTAGE=3.85V

CHG_GLOBAL_TOUT=240

BAL_VCELL_MIN=3.4V

CAPACITY=2400mAH, should be changed to match the cell's capacity

OCV_SOC0=3.3V

OCV_SOC10=3.68V

OCV_SOC25=3.76V

OCV_SOC50=3.82V

OCV_SOC75=3.97V

OCV_SOC100=4.17V

Feel free to adjust these parameters if needed

Connecting DC input power

Connect a proper input voltage source to the P1 connector.
If input voltage is present , the UPS will enable the proper power path and energy will be flowing from input to output and, if necessary, battery charging is started.
A gratuitous pulse is sent through P6 to wake up the motherboard depending configured Mode.
Each cell is carefully monitored so that in case of an under-voltage or over-voltage event proper actions are taken.
The charger is a BUCK converter so in order to charge batteries input voltage should be higher than battery voltage.

Blink modes

Status of Main LED(green)

-Steady ON: UPS is on Input Power

-ON for 0.5sec,OFF for 2.5sec: UPS is Battery Powered

-Blinking On/OFF every 2 sec : OFFDELAY

-3 fast blinks and pause repeated every 2 seconds: HARDOFF delay

-Steady OFF:UPS is in ship mode

-high frequency blinking: battery cell is missing(cell voltage is less than 100mV)

Status of Battery LED(red)

-Steady ON: UPS is Battery Powered

-Steady OFF: Battery is not being charged

-Blinking On/OFF every 2 sec: Battery is being charged

All LEDs OFF

Unit is in Ship mode consuming less than 1uA. MCU is not powered. Can be waked up by pressing P10 or if input voltage is present.

Fuel gauge

The initial remaining capacity is detected based on an open-circuit voltage based state-of-charge estimation, using the predefined values set by the OCV_SOCxx parameters. Further estimation is based on coulomb counting method which is more precise after a full charge cycle has been performed.
The UPS doesn't save the coulomb counter in its internal flash memory when it is shut down. After wakeup the open-circuit voltage based estimation is used again.

Characteristics

Minimum Input Operating voltage
Maximum input Operating voltage
Deep-Discharge shutdown threshold
Deep Sleep(Ship mode) Current Consumption
Sleep mode Current Consumption
Storage and operating temperature
MTBF
Input connectors
Output Connector

11V
24V
configurable
< 1uA, see UPS_CONFIG2 parameter for detail
530uA, see UPS_CONFIG2 parameter for detail
-40^oC to +85^oC (storage), -40^oC to +65^oC (operating)
50K Hrs @ 85^oC, >= 200K Hrs at 65^oC (projected)
Mini-Fit JR
Mini-Fit JR

Output/Input Rail Output Current (buck/boost converter)
Maximum input current: 5A(consult with battery manufacturer for ratings)
Peak Input current: 6A(<30 seconds)
Maximum output current: 5A (input current dependent)
Peak output Current: 6A(<30 seconds)

NOTE:
When operating at high voltage (input or output) or/or operating at elevated temperatures 
de-rating up to 30% might be necessary, forced ventilation required.
For long life operation, please ensure that hottest component on-board is kept below 65C.

Output Booster measurements

Support and warranty

Standard Hardware Warranty 1Year / US, 2 Year EU.

Parameter List

NAME	Description
OPENUPSMODE	OPENUPS mode 0-Autorestart when input is present=yes (UPS) 1-Autorestart when input is present=no (LAPTOP) 2-Energy Pack mode (ON/OFF)
CAPACITY[mAh]	Battery Capacity Default is 1000mAh.
MOB_ONOFF_TOUT[ms]	The power switch on the motherboard(if connected) will be shorted this period to turn the Motherboard ON or OFF. Default is 500ms.
UPS_BUTTON_ON_TOUT[ms]	The pushbutton connected on the P10 header must be shorted this period to be considered as pressed. Default is 100ms.
UPS_CONFIG[bit7..bit0]	Configuration register. Used for enabling disabling modules.0-disabled;1-enabled bit7-reserved bit6-reserved bit5-reserved bit4-reserved bit3-reserved bit2:Enable temperature compensated charge algorithm bit1:Enable shutdown from battery if system was shut down from OS sensed by USB bit0:Enable output voltage settings directly from OUT_VOLTAGE parameter. If disabled output voltage is set by configuration switch on the back side of the PCBA.
UPS_CONFIG2[bit7..bit0]	Configuration register.Used for enabling disabling modules.0-disabled;1-enabled bit7-reserved bit6-reserved bit5-reserved bit4-reserved bit3-reserved bit2:reserved bit1:Enable Ship mode, consumption is less than 1uA. Unit can be waked up only by input power presence. bit0:Enable Sleep mode, consumption is 530uA. Unit can be waked up by button or input power presence. The combination of bit1 ,bit0 sets the configurable low power modes 01: Sleep mode CPU OFF (530uA) 10: Ship mode CPU OFF(1uA) 11 or 00: Standby mode CPU ON(15mA) ==> Ship mode CPU OFF(1uA)
UPS_VIN_MIN_START [V]	If input voltage is above this threshold the UPS will start and take power from the input. Default is 11V.
UPS_VCELL_MIN_START [V]	If Vin is not present and all the battery cells are above this threshold the UPS can start and runs on battery Default is 3V.
UPS_VCELL_MIN_STOP [V]	If VIN is not present and one of the battery cells is less than this threshold during the time period specified by UPS_VBAT_UVP_OFF_TOUT parameter the UPS will initiate shut down procedure. Default is 2.8V
UPS_VCELL_MIN_HARD_STOP [V]	If VIN is not present and one of the battery cells is less than this threshold the UPS will instantly shut down to preserve battery. Default is 2.5V
UPS_VBAT_UVP_OFF_TOUT [s]	During this period battery cells are checked against UPS_VCELL_MIN_STOP. If cell voltage exceeds UPS_VCELL_MIN_STOP the timer is rearmed so it can filter unwanted noise in the system. Default is 5 sec.
UPS_HARDOFF_TOUT[s]	After UPS_VBAT_UVP_OFF_TOUT passed motherboard is signaled to shut down. The UPS will wait this period so that the Motherboard can shut down gracefully, than cut power and enter deep sleep. This period should not be too long to prevent battery drain. Default is 60 sec.
UPS_VBAT_SLEEP_TOUT[s]	Deep sleep timeout..If system is running on battery and this period has elapsed with no input power applied, then the UPS will initiate shut down procedure. "Never" is allowed as value (to disable this feature). Default is "Never".
DCHG_IMAX[A]	Max allowed discharge current. In case discharge current exceeds this threshold shutdown will be initiated. Default is 10A.
CHG_VCOND[V]	Conditioning/Pre-charge voltage. Charge current is limited until cell voltage exceeds this value and for at least CHG_TCOND time . Default is 3V.
CHG_TCOND[V]	Conditioning/Precharge time. Charge current is limited until cell voltage exceeds CHG_VCOND value and it is applied during this time. Default is 30 sec.
CHG_BULK_STOP_VOLTAGE[V/cell]	Maximum allowed bulk charge voltage/cell during constant current/constant voltage charging. Default is 3.5[V/cell]
CHG_HYSTERESIS[V/cell]	An over-voltage value (CHG_BULK_STOP_VOLTAGE+CHG_HYSTERESIS ) that it is allowed when charging. If one of the cells exceeds this value charging is immediately stopped. Default is 100mV/cell.
CHG_START_VOLTAGE [V/cell]	If cell voltage is below this value charging can be started. Default is 3.3V/cell
CHG_GLOBAL_TOUT[min]	Global charge timeout. Default is 180 min.
CHG_TOPPING_TIMER[s]	For Lithium based batteries after an overvoltage condition is detected for a cell a resting period is set by this timer before applying a small topping charge in case other cells are still not charged. Default is 60s.
CHG_BAT_TYPE	The battery chemistry to be charged. 1-LiFePO4
CHG_TEMP_COLD[°C]	COLD temperature treshold for temperature compensated charge current regulation. Default 5°C(FW ver 1.2)
CHG_TEMP_COOL[°C]	COOL temperature treshold for temperature compensated charge current regulation. Default 10°C(FW ver 1.2)
CHG_TEMP_WARM[°C]	WARM temperature treshold for temperature compensated charge current regulation. Default 50°C(FW ver 1.2)
CHG_TEMP_HOT[°C]	HOT temperature treshold for temperature compensated charge current regulation. Default 55°C(FW ver 1.2)
BAL_VCELL_MIN[V]	Balancing is allowed if cell voltages are above this value. Default is 3.1V
BAL_VCELL_DIFF_START [V]	If the voltage difference between cells exceeds this value start balancing the cells. Default is 70mV.
BAL_VCELL_DIFF_STOP[V]	If the voltage difference between cells is less than this value stop balancing the cells. Default is 40mV.
OUT_VOLTAGE[V]	The output voltage. Bit0 in UPS_CONFIG parameter should be set to “1” in order this parameter has effect. Default is 12V.
OUT_MAX_REGULATOR_STEP[steps]	Maximum allowed regulation step number for output module (0-255) Default 255.
OUT_FOLLOW_OFFSET[V]	Offset for adaptive output regulation. Default is 1V.
OCV_SOC0[V]	Open Circuit Voltage State Of Charge detection for initial 0% fuel gauge estimation. Default is 3.1V
OCV_SOC10[V]	Open Circuit Voltage State Of Charge detection for initial 10% fuel gauge estimation. Default is 3.2V
OCV_SOC25[V]	Open Circuit Voltage State Of Charge detection for initial 25% fuel gauge estimation. Default is 3.25V
OCV_SOC50[V]	Open Circuit Voltage State Of Charge detection for initial 50% fuel gauge estimation. Default is 3.30V
OCV_SOC75[V]	Open Circuit Voltage State Of Charge detection for initial 75% fuel gauge estimation. Default is 3.32V
OCV_SOC100[V]	Open Circuit Voltage State Of Charge detection for initial 100% fuel gauge estimation. Default is 3.35V
AFE_OLV[-]	Advanced parameter. AFE Overload Voltage treshold configuration register. Default is 0x00.
AFE_OLD[-]	Advanced parameter. AFE Overload Delay time configuration register. Default is 0x00.
AFE_SCC[-]	Advanced parameter. AFE Short Circuit In Charge configuration register. Default is 0x50.
AFE_SCD[-]	Advanced parameter. AFE Short Circuit In Discharge configuration register. Default is 0x50.
WRITE_COUNT[cycle]	Number of times the flash memory has been written. Parameter is Read only.

Software manual

Windows OS built-in support

The OpenUPS implements two generic USB classes, therefore most of the operating systems are recognizing it without any additional driver installation. This two classes are:

  a.) "HID UPS Battery" for OS built-in communication.

Microsoft Windows versions are recognizing this class automatically and the device should appear in device manager at Batteries as a "Hid ups battery", together with all settings and power plan possibilities provided by the OS for any battery.

  b.) "HID" for communication and configuration

This endpoint is a generic HID and it is used by our configuration and monitor softwares to read/write voltages and other important parameters of the OpenUPS2

Configuration software

The configuration software provides interface for OpenUPS2 monitoring, logging and setup. It's recommended to be used by users with deeper understanding of the OpenUPS2 hardware since permits setting voltages, currents and other parameters which can be dangerous if they are set without precaution.
The configuration software has two main screens (Status and Settings) and a header with the important voltage/current values.

The first main screen is the "Status"

Examples of this screen is shown in the next images:

Status screen

Extended status screen

The title bar shows the connection status and the firmware version of the OpenUPS2. Example: "OpenUPS2 Connected v1.0"

The header of the status screen contains:

Two icons:

The upper one is the Mini-box.com logo and it does not changes.

The second icon is present only when OpenUPS2 is connected to the UPS and can be "Battery powered" (like int the example screenshots), "Line powered" and "USB powered". It displays the state of the OpenUPS2

Capacity: shows the remaining capacity of the batteries

RTE: run time to empty

Input: input voltage applied to the OpenUPS2 (P1 Input)

Battery: battery voltage

Output: output voltage of the OpenUPS2 (P2 Output)

The "Status" screen contains extended information about the current state of the OpenUPS2 like battery voltages, charge/discharge currents, temperature/voltage of the batteries and different states. The user also have the possibility to log the current state into a *.csv file. The "Extended state" flags are for debug/support and can change between different firmware versions.

The second main screen is the "Settings"

Example of this screen is shown in the next image:

Settings screen

This screen contains two main sections: the individual parameter setup for experienced users and the parameter save/load into/from file section.

IMPORTANT: any parameter setting or battery wizard data is taken into account by the OpenUPS2 only after a full restart either with power cut from all sources (usb, battery, vin), either by the "Restart OpenUPS (full restart and reload parameters)" button. Do this with precaution, check the parameters and wires before doing it!

The main section of the "Settings" screen is the individual parameter settings.
This is recommended to be done only by experienced users. Any parameter of the OpenUPS2 can be set from here. Changing one parameter is simple:

- select the desired parameter from the "Parameters" drop down menu. The current value is displayed in the "Value" field together with the unit ([V], [mA] etc.).

- introduce the new value

- the introduced value is checked whenever you change the current selection for the "Parameters" or choose to sync with "Sync all parameters to the OpenUPS". If the

result of the check is correct, the resulting value is shown in the "Change log" field, otherwise error message might be popped up and the parameters selector jumps back to the wrong value.

- after You have done with all parameter setting press the "Sync all parameters to the OpenUPS" button to send all values to the OpenUPS2.

IMPORTANT: without this step the new values will be lost, nothing is sent to the OpenUPS2!

For users who need to setup more devices with the same OpenUPS2 settings, it is recommended to use the save/load parameters buttons. The "All parameters: OpenUPS ===> File (settings.ini)" button loads a full configuration from the OpenUPS and saves it to the settings.ini file. You can disconnect the current OpenUPS2 from the USB and insert a new one, than press the "All parameters: File ===> OpenUPS (settings.ini)" button to send the last saved configuration into the new OpenUPS2.

The "All parameters: OpenUPS ===> CSV File (settings.csv)" button loads all parameters from the connected OpenUPS2 and saves it into a csv file. This type of file can be opened by any spreadsheet editor (OpenOffice, Microsoft Excel etc.) and contains the full set of parameters in human readable form.

The "Enter bootloader mode (device restarted in bootloader mode)" button is intended to be used for firmware updates. After You press this button the OpenUPS2 will disconnect, it will switch to bootloader mode and firmware can be updated as described here

Every save/load/sync operation on the "Settings" screen affects the progress bar and the status bar on the bottom of the screen (labelled with "State:"). In rare cases You might get error here with "try again" message. This happens in case of one parameter byte get's corrupted or timeout occurs during USB communication and/or OpenUPS flashing operation. Please try again and contact our support team only if the device gives this error 4-5 times in a row.

Windows System monitor

The system monitor is a tray bar software which shows the current state on the tray bar icon and a semi transparent "always on top" capable small window.
The popup window can be moved anywhere on the screen and can be customised. Our current setup has two skins but any combination is possible playing with the "skin*.mbs" files installed together with this application. The current skin can be selected right clicking on the try icon. The "skin*.mbs" files are simple text ones editable with any text editor (notepad for example).
Adding a new skin is pretty simple – make a skin2.mbs (use the existing skin0.mbs or skin1.mbs for starting content) and start playing with the values from the new file.
The values are self explanatory – skin name, background image files, font descriptions and label/value pair coordinates for all the important OpenUPS2 values. The size of the popup is defined by the background image – transparent parts can be defined as well (see for example: "bubble1.bmp"). Example screenshots:

System monitor skin1 connected

System monitor skin2 connected

System monitor skin2 disconnected

System monitor settings

Developer manual

Mini-box.com provides one OpenUPS2 API in a DLL (OpenUPS2Lib.dll) and examples in Visual C++, Visual Basic and Visual C#.
Basic C++/Visual Basic/C# knowledge is needed to use this examples together with the API. The API dll has manifest embedded to permit C# and Visual Basic dynamic load, external manifest is also provided in case if it is needed.

The API has a set of functions exported to access the full functionality of the OpenUPS2. This functions are:

unsigned char upsOpenDeviceHandler(unsigned int timer); //open device handler. timer sets the refresh period in milliseconds (4 messages will be sent in this period), don't use values lower than 40msec here (cpu usage and usb traffic will increase with lower values). IMPORTANT: the handler can be kept open to notice any OpenUPS2 plugged in

void upsCloseDeviceHandler();//close device handler

void getUPSDevicePath(char* path);//get device path

unsigned char isUPSConnected();//0=not connected, 1=normal state,2=loading settings from device,3=saving settings from pc,4=saving settings from file

float getUPSVIN();//UPS Voltage IN

float getUPSVBat();//UPS Voltage Battery

float getUPSVOut();//UPS Voltage out

float getUPSCCharge();//UPS charge current

float getUPSCDischarge();//UPS discharge current

float getUPSVDuty();//duty cycle

float getUPSVCell(int i);//cell voltages (i=0,1,2)

float getUPSTemperature(int i);//cell temperatures (i=0,1,2)

unsigned char getUPSVerMajor();//firmware version major number

unsigned char getUPSVerMinor();//firmware version minor number

unsigned char getUPSState();//ups state (0=disconnnected, 1=running from battery, 2=running from VIn, 3=running from USB)

unsigned char getUPSRemainingCapacity();//remaining capacity

unsigned char getUPSVOutPot();//voltage out regulator %

unsigned char getUPSConfigSwitch();//config switch/debug info

unsigned char getUPSStateByteUPS();//state byte/debug info

unsigned char getUPSStateByteCHG();//charger state/debug info

unsigned char getUPSStateByteDBG();//debug byte

unsigned char getUPSBatteryOn(int i);//battery connected (i=0,1,2)

unsigned int getUPSRTE();//Remaining time to empty

unsigned char getUPSMode();//mode byte/reserved

unsigned char getUPSDbgByte(int i);//more debug bytes

unsigned char getUPSDbg2Byte(int i);//even more debug bytes

unsigned char getUPSCheck23(int i);//extended state flags/debug info

unsigned char getUPSCheck24(int i);//extended state flags/debug info

unsigned char getUPSCheck25(int i);//extended state flags/debug info

void restartUPS();//restart ups and reload parameters

void restartUPSInBootloaderMode();//restart ups into bootloader mode (for updating fimware)

void setUPSCommand1Byte(unsigned char command, unsigned char value);//debug states/reserved

void setUPSCommand2Byte(unsigned char command, unsigned int value);//debug states/reserved

void incDecVOutVolatile(unsigned char inc);//dynamically increase/decrease voltage (not saved into parameters for next startup)

void setVOutVolatile(float vout);//directly set voltage (not saved into parameters for next startup)

unsigned int getUPSMaxVariableCnt();//return variable count of the OpenUPS2

unsigned char getUPSVariableData(unsigned int cnt, char* name, char* value, char* unit, char* comment);//get name, value, measuring unit and explication by variable index

void startUPSLoadingSettings(unsigned char to_file, unsigned char compare_with_old);//start to load settings from device

unsigned char getUPSLoadingSettingsState();//load settings state: 0-64 - steps, 100=success, 0xF1-0xFF=failure/errorcode

unsigned char setUPSVariableData(unsigned int cnt, char* value);//set individual variable by index (string form, permitted values described in hardware manual)

void startUPSSaveSettings(unsigned char from_file);//start saving parameters into device

unsigned char getUPSSaveSettingsState();//saving state: 0-64 - steps, 100=success, 0xF1-0xFF=failure/errorcode

See the examples for usage.

IMPORTANT: the API dll needs 4 files from Visual Studio 2005 redistribution pack (Microsoft.VC80.CRT.manifest, msvcm80.dll, msvcp80.dll, msvcr80.dll).

IMPORTANT: the API supports only one OpenUPS2 connected to the computer.

Visual C++ Example

Open CLibTest.sln from the package, run it and see CLibTest.cpp for usage example.

Visual Basic Example

Open VBLibTest.sln from the package, run it and see Module1.vb for usage example.

Visual C# Example

Open CSLibTest.sln from the package, run it and see Program.cs for usage example.