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Seeking Your Feedback on a Beat Our Board Design Challenge - Grand Prize $5,000

rscasny

I've been in discussions with a component supplier who would like to sponsor a Design Challenge.

But its vision of the Design Challenge is a little different than how element14 typically administers a Design Challenge. I want to tell you the details below. I would really appreciate you voting in the polls and offering feedback on the challenge. Thanks.

Randall
-element14 Community Team


What is the Beat Our Board Design Challenge?

The goal of PI Beat Our Board Design Challenge is for the participants to design a board that improves or beats the sponsor's DER-953 board. Below, I've posted a short video and a schematic of this RDK, as well as the datasheet.

image

How Applicants are Selected as one of the Top 10

The Top 10 submissions get to advance to the next stage and will be given the DER-953Q plus a $250 shopping cart to buy materials – fulfilled by Farnell. The sponsor or its representatives will judge the finalists. They are awarding $5,000 to the grand prize winner and $2,500 to the 2nd place winner.

The enrollment period will last 6 weeks.

What they need to show to be one of the top 10

To be selected as one of the Top 10, the applicant needs to show the following:
• Topology / switch type
• Transformer size
• Preliminary schematic

The length of the challenge is about 6 months (ends June 2024).

Here are the criteria to win:

• Cannot use InnoSwitch
• Beat the efficiency – 10%, 25%, 50% and 100% no-load
• 40-500 V DC input
• Size/ volume of board must be same size or smaller
• Must meet thermals – 85 degrees Celsius – no heatsink
• No optocouplers
• Component count
• No-load consumption
• Automotive qualified components only
• Transformer exempt
• Up to and no more than a 6-layer PCB
• Specify PCB stack up weight per sq foot- 2oz 1oz 1oz 1oz 2: Maximum copper thickness on top and bottom layers
• Overload power current limit = 8.1 A

What do you think of this challenge? I invite you to offer your thoughts in the comments section below.

I also invite you to vote in the following polls:



Parents Reply
  • in reply to abhishek2018

    I m interested but

    1) if the PCB has to be submitted, then it must be also sponsored in addition to usd 250 + board. 6 layer PCB is not a cheap item in itself.

    2) How 6 months progress would be monitored. Do I need to submit failed designs or portions also, which later would be rectified or under research only.

    3) Do the sponsor also wants to upload manual calculations.

    4) For the final, Do I need to submit layout and gerber files or only schematic

    5) At the time of enrolment, in the application page pls do attach upload pdf, as attachment would be there.

Children
  • in reply to abhishek2018

    6) If I use micro controller, do I need to upload full code. 

    7) Some oscilloscope can be given, which can be given back after competition or cheaper old cathode oscilloscope can be given.

  • in reply to abhishek2018

    If they really want beatup board participant, they have to increase sponsor money like in PCB and pay minimum livelihood expenses to people like me or whoever needs it.

    Because this is real challenge to beat company's board. And it needs lot calculations first.  I have my own modified topology but not yet tried in simulation.

  • in reply to abhishek2018

    I have different design approach, for me it is not to get on the bench instantly but rather if any local company would ask me to do so, I will ask 20 days calculations time on papers with 100 -200 pages(blank papers), then simulation time of 2-3 months, then 2-3 different PCB variants.

    So, I do need minimum livelihood expenses.

  • in reply to abhishek2018
    abhishek2018 said:

    on time of 2-3 months, then 2-3 different PCB variants.

    Correction : 20 days to 1.5 month time approx on simulation.  And it will go in parallel with one PCB variant.

    Then oscilloscope would be also needed, without which claim would be incomplete.

  • in reply to abhishek2018

    You would need far more test gear than an oscilloscope.

    You will need an isolated oscilloscope (to look at the 500V end of the system) - possibly get away with grounding both sides but you will still need high voltage probes.

    Also need a 500V 150W power supply and all the usual lab gear with high voltage probes.

    This thing is supposed to work at 85C - so you need to TEST that (its part of the spec) - so you need a temperature controlled cabinet (you could make one but building your own general purpose test stuff will use up a lot of time.)

    MK

  • in reply to michaelkellett

    I think, the modified oscilloscope with my LCR and 5 multi-meters will convince company whether I can come even upto 80% or beat efficiency.

    And if they find, prototype is beating them or near, they can invite or call that person to get their prototype tested in PI lab environment.

    Beating itself would be global news as breakthrough.

    This CAL TEST ELECTRONICS CT2708 would be also needed for ripple, decoupling cap.

    The additional sponsorship cannot be USD 250, it would be USD 2000 - USD 3000 besides my minimum wage asked.

    It depends how serious are they really looking beatup board challenger.

  • in reply to abhishek2018

    Someone in this page has raised concern either for me or as general, "... prohibited to work with live parts with voltage higher than 25VAC or 60VDC without qualification..." 

    In my personal case, I am only representing only myself not anyone else, not country. As far as this is taken, it is not criminal, but this being an international challenge (I may not apply, reasons mentioned and if gets selected not sure, would be in winner list)

    I am always attaching legal acknowledgement and disclosure, (which some graduates find ...)

  • in reply to abhishek2018

    I would also need sponsorship for transformer designing, though it is exempt in winning criteria but is needed as in transformer size.

    Seriously looking,  then sponsor full. If microcontroller or FPGA used, only board costing may get reduced but I need to check Vivado as it was crashing last time and all the time.