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  • Author Author: Jan Cumps
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How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 5: Case for Educational Switch Mode Converter Lab

Jan Cumps

The element14 roadtests are a great way to learn new things. Whenever I see a test that interests me, I enroll.

Success is not guaranteed. I've been selected for some, not for others. In this series I'll explain how I decide to enroll or not.

I'll also show how I build my case, including some examples from my applications.

 

This is the technical part of my application for the TI-PMLK Buck Experiment Board: TPS54160 & LM3475

All technical content is here. I haven't removed the part where I'm doing blatant self promotion, because I know no shame.

I was selected for this one.

 

Application: TI-PMLK Buck Experiment Board: TPS54160 & LM3475

 

This Road Test is a very nice fit with the blog series I have here on element14 related to switched mode DC conversion.

I am verifying different converter topologies and technologies and document my findings here on the community.

Although my blogs usually aren't product reviews (they are explanations and experiments) I have the skill, tools and will to verify the educational value of the offer.

 

 

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My plan is to validate how the educational documentation helps the (to-be) engineer to understand modern switch-mode converters. I would also explain how to validate the characteristics of the design, showing how a typical test setup can detect those characteristics.

I would not investigate the performance of the converter chips themselves. That's something I would do in a road test for that particular IC. The nature of this test looks-and-feels to be focused on showing the kit's educational value.

Here is a selection of switch mode converter blogs that I have posted here on element14:

 

 

GaN Point of Load converter 48V to 1V 50A - part 1: Design Overview
Checking Out GaN Half-Bridge Power Stage: Texas Instruments LMG5200 - Part 1: Preview
Checking Out GaN Half-Bridge Power Stage: Texas Instruments LMG5200 - Part 2: Dead Time Capture
GaN Half-Bridge Power Stage: TI LMG5200 - Part 3: Control Deadband with Hercules LaunchPad
On the TI E2E community: driving GaN with a simple PWM signal
XuLA2 FPGA - PWM with Dead Band in VHDL
The GaN BoosterPack Series: LMG5200 Evaluation Pack and Smart Instrument
Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Part 1: Control Big Power with a Flimsy Mouse Scroll Wheel
Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Part 2: Make a BoosterPack
Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Part 3a: BoosterPack Layout - Reference Design
Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Part 3b: BoosterPack Layout - my version
Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Side Note A: BoosterPack Layout - Custom KiCad Parts
Hercules LaunchPad and GaN FETs - Side Note B: Look at the PCB
Low Voltage Step-Down Converter TPS54A20 - First Check
Low Voltage Step-Down Converter TPS54A20 - Series Capacitor

 

 

 

I am also designing an electronic load here on the community, together with fellow member Peter Oakes (we're working on this since last December. Every documentation and all our conversations are public here on the site).

Programmable Electronic Load

This design - using a microcontroller and several ICs from the same supplier - is a natural match for validating the kit.

 

The photo's in the application are taken from the blogs on this community.

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Thanks for considering my application.

Jan.

 

 

 

Related blog
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 1: yes or no
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 2: success and failure
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 3: Help Me
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 4: Case for Programmable Electronic Load
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 5: Case for Educational Switch Mode Converter Lab

How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 6: Case for CAN Analysis Tool

How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 7: Case for Some Other Road Tests
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 8: Case for Harting Mica Road Tests
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 9: Case for Renesas RX65N, Trinamic TMC2300, Infineon Block Chain, STM32H7B3I DISCOVERY KIT
  • in reply to DAB

    DAB wrote:

     

    You would get my vote.

     

    DAB

    I got selected, Don. I'm looking forward to check this out ...

  • This comment is for everyone in the RoadTest Group and concerns (a) what is a roadtest and (b) some roadtrsters having the impression they have to do a big project / prototype for a roadtest.

     

    I clipped out from Jan Cump's application he pasted above for the TI-PMLK Buck Experiment Board.

     

    Jan wrote:

    "

    My plan is to validate how the educational documentation helps the (to-be) engineer to understand modern switch-mode converters. I would also explain how to validate the characteristics of the design, showing how a typical test setup can detect those characteristics.

    I would not investigate the performance of the converter chips themselves. That's something I would do in a road test for that particular IC. The nature of this test looks-and-feels to be focused on showing the kit's educational value."

     

    This is a very good explanation of what he is going to do for this roadtest. He isn't building some new prototype. Rather, he is specifically saying what kind of testing he will do for the audience of the product, the to-be engineer. This is quite fine. The most important thing he said was the following "focused on showing the kit's educational value."  So, he is showing me that he understand's the audience of the product and he is tuning his testing to that.

     

    I get many roadtest applications that give me all the applicant's credentials and talks about all the projects he's done and goes into this monologue about things like Iot and sensors. Guess what: the product he is applying for has nothing to with those things! I wonder if he bothered to read the info or do even a bit of research.

     

    A good roadtest application should be relevant to the product and the people who use it. The reviews should help people, bottomline.

     

    Randall Scasny

    RodTest Program Manager

  • in reply to DAB

    If I'm selected for the roadtest, I can always try something for you, Don.

    Maybe as last step, in case this destroys the device ...

  • in reply to Jan Cumps

    Ok, just curious.

     

    I need to do some experiments with high voltage and thought of this board as a driver.

     

    DAB

  • in reply to DAB

    Don, the question isn't weird.I don't know the answer though - I learned this at school in the 80's but this part of my electronics knowledge is virtually lost in time. I have to work really hard to get back up to speed with inductance, magnetics and related subjects.

    It's a shame really because I did have that knowledge. Not using it enough in my further life has taken its toll (I tried to take the Coursera Power Electronics course twice and failed the exams - also twice).