RE: How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 5: Case for Educational Switch Mode Converter Lab

rscasny — Tue, 30 May 2017 01:21:19 GMT

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

RE: How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 5: Case for Educational Switch Mode Converter Lab

DAB — Wed, 24 May 2017 17:41:48 GMT

Hi Jan,

I have a weird question for you.

Could this board drive an old TV flyback transformer using controlled pulse widths and current?

I am developing one of my wild ideas and wonder if this board could support some of my testing.

DAB

RE: How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 5: Case for Educational Switch Mode Converter Lab

rscasny — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 18:28:16 GMT

Above and beyond the call of duty for a RoadTest application.

thank you.

Randall

RE: How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 5: Case for Educational Switch Mode Converter Lab

DAB — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 19:06:33 GMT

You would get my vote.

DAB