Introduction to programmable power supplies

Real world application cases

As a result, programmable power supplies are used in a wide variety of applications. Here are some examples:

Automatic test equipment (ATE)

ATE enables product testing with minimal human intervention, and is widely used in the production of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, semiconductors, automobiles, hard drives, printed circuit boards, and many other electronic products. Programmable power supplies allow for programming of hard limits to provide test and validation of products prior to installation.

Semiconductor fabrication

Manufacturing a single-cell crystal of pure silicon is the first step in the production of a semiconductor integrated circuit. Fully adjustable power sources are used to control specific processes and monitoring of the crystal growth process, including fully adjustable light sources, polyelectrolyte solutions, stirring motors, heaters & coolers, and more. The programmable power supplies provide crucial power and feedback to take control of the crystal growth environment.

X-Ray generators

X-ray generators are used in multiple industrial imaging applications such as material composition and metal fatigue testing, medical and dental fluoroscopes, and other diagnostic equipment. The programmable power supply is a critical part of the testing platform. For example, they provide control of electrical power limits needed to energize x-ray tubes and allow for real- time control and monitoring of the power limits to achieve high levels of accuracy and precision.

Linear and switching power topologies

Before choosing a programmable power supply, engineers should understand a few basics. Any AC-DC power supply must convert the AC line voltage at its input to a regulated DC voltage at its output. The linear and the switching topologies are two methods of achieving this. The first stage of either topology is the same: convert the high-voltage AC into lower-voltage AC via a transformer, and then convert that into an unregulated DC voltage via a rectifier and capacitor filters. The two approaches differ in the processing of the unregulated DC voltage.

Figure 2. Linear power supply topology (Source: Acopian)

In the linear power supply in Figure 2, a series pass element is connected between the input voltage V_IN and output voltage V_OUT. An error amplifier compares V_OUT to a reference voltage V_REF and adjusts the control voltage of the series pass element to maintain V_OUT at the desired value. The closed-loop design ensures that the supply output stays at the nominal voltage despite changes in V_IN or load values. The pass element is always in its active region, hence the designation “linear” supply. The voltage (V_IN – V_OUT) appears across the pass element and the load current flows through it; the power dissipation across the pass element is the major source of inefficiency in a linear supply.

Figure 3. Switching supply topology (Source: Acopian)

In a switching supply in Figure 3, the line AC is first converted to unregulated DC as before. In contrast to the continuously-varying operation of the linear design, though, the switching design delivers power to the load in bursts; the pass element switches off and on at a high rate that can range from hundreds of kilohertz up to megahertz. The pass element spends most of its time in either the on or the off state where power dissipation is minimal, so the switching design is much more efficient than its linear equivalent. The output pulses are filtered to produce low-ripple DC and the resulting waveform becomes the DC voltage output.

The size of the switching supply is also a function of its switching frequency: higher switching frequencies reduce the size of magnetic components such as inductors and transformers.

Comparison of the two topologies

The differences in the two topologies drive differences in performance. Here’s a quick summary:

Contact the factory to help decide which topology is best for a particular application.

Acopian programmable product lines

Acopian produces a wide range of programmable linear and switching power supplies. The product family includes AC-DC single output, AC-DC adjustable output, DC-DC converters and high voltage power supplies.

Depending on model, an Acopian programmable power supply allows control of the output through a variety of methods:

Resistive control programming – using a potentiometer or switching fixed resistors.
Voltage control programming – using a variable voltage to control the power supply output. This voltage is usually derived from a control circuit or a D/A converter. The control voltage can be at a 1:1 ratio to the power supply’s output or can have a range such as 0 V to 5 V or 0 V to10 V.
Digital control programming – programming from a computer or controller.

Some representative models are:

Linear power supply: Gold Box "Infinity" series

The Gold Box series is a single-out AC-DC linear power supply family that features a “infinite” selection of configuration options. Standard features include:

Any slot voltage from 1.5 V to 150 V is available
Remote sensing
Open sense protection
Isolated output
Short circuit and overload protection with enhanced surge capabilities
No minimum load required
Internal EMI Filtering
Pluggable connectors

Configuration options

Programming: there are two output programming options for voltage or current. The output voltage and current may be programmed from 0 to full rating using control voltage inputs of either 0 V DC to +5 V DC or control voltage inputs of 0 V DC to +10 V DC. Voltage and current monitoring terminals provide signals scaled to the output voltage and current selected.

Acopian recognizes that no two applications are the same, and customers don’t want to pay for features they aren’t going to use. The Gold Box “Infinity” series is aptly named. The list of options runs to eleven different categories, each one with multiple choices, giving a practically “infinite” selection of possible configurations. Customers can tailor their power supply to their precise specifications. Contact the factory for details or order online.

Switching power supply: 1U series

The 1U family of programmable AC-DC switching power supplies offers 720 W power levels with single output voltages ranging from 3.3 V to 135 V and current capabilities up to 70 A. Operating at a switching frequency of 110 kHz (typical), 1U power supplies are designed to meet FCC Part 15, EN61326-1 and EN55022, Class A EMI standards.

The series is available in rack mounting or benchtop versions.

Standard features include:

Universal input
Power factor correction
Constant voltage and constant current modes
Short circuit and overload protection
Thermal protection
No minimum load required
Adjustable down to 0 V (‘Wide Adjust’ models)
Internal EMI filter and RFI shielding
Pluggable connectors for input and control wiring
Remote sensing
‘Soft start’ operation
Output programming (‘Wide Adjust’ models)
Voltage and current monitors
Output inhibit (or enable)
Vok (single output models)

The front panel provides linear controls for fine adjustment and optional digital LED voltage and current meters. Numerous other options are available.

Programming: The 1U series features a choice of digital interfaces to monitor or control output voltage and current. Two options are available: the standard Ethernet/USB/RS232 digital interface; or an enhanced Ethernet/USB/RS232/RS485 digital interface. Both options include isolated Ethernet (10/100 Mbps), RS232, and USB interfaces; the RS485 interface utilizes 16-bit DACs and ADCs.

Switching power supply: Low-Profile series

Perfect for space-constrained applications, Acopian’s Low-Profile series switching power supplies can supply up to 720 W of power in a case as small as 7.7 inch x 5.5 inch x 1.0 inch (WL7).

Wide Adjust models are programmable with output voltage ranges from 0 V to 5 V up to 0 V to 135 V. The output voltage and current may be programmed from 0 to full rating using control voltage inputs of either 0 V DC to +5 V DC or control voltage inputs of 0 V DC to +10 V DC.

Like other Acopian power supplies, the Low-Profile series offers a long list of standard features, plus many options for an optimized solution.

Custom power supplies

Acopian can design custom power supplies that meet the most exacting specifications. A long list of successful projects includes military, industrial, telecom and medical designs. Contact the factory for more details.

About Acopian

With locations in Pennsylvania and Florida, Acopian has been building power supplies with 3-day delivery for over fifty years. The company offers 24/7 product support with custom power supply configuration via their Online System Builder. Power supplies can be ordered direct from the factory and all Acopian products are made in the USA.