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  • Author Author: rscasny
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Seeking Feedback on The Historically Low Number of Applications for Power-Focused Roadtests

Greetings. It's October already! For me the year has gone by real quickly! I hope you've had a great year!

 

As the year starts winding down, I typically begin an audit of roadtests. This is something I do every year as RoadTest Program manager. I look at the review completion rate, the number of applications per roadtest, and anything else that would be relevant for improving the element14 Roadtest program.

 

While I have just begun this task, I feel the program is in good shape as far as review completions go. Many thanks to all roadtesters who have completed reviews. Our sponsors value your input and what you write is read closely.

 

The number of applications seems to be an area that needs improvement. For example, I noticed that for our power-focused roadtests, there seems to be a historically lower number of applications:

 

MPS Four-Channel Output Power Module EVM   14 applicants

ROHM 8-Channel Multi-Rail DC/DC Converter Board  15 applicants

Summer of FPGAs: MAX77714 Multichannel PMIC EVM  21 applicants

Vishay Synchronous Buck Regulator EV Board  22 applicants

TI SWIFTTm Power Module EVM  14 applicants

Texas Instruments-DCDC Power:FPGA & Data Converter  15 applicants

 

Now, for DC Power Supplies, which are actually test equipment roadtests in my mind, the number of applications is much better:

R&S 4-Output Bench Power Supply, Prog (HMP4040.04)  33 applicants

Tenma Handheld DC Power Supply  238 applicants   (This is NOT a typo. It had 238 applicants.)

R&S NGP814 Power Supply 44 applicants

AIM-TTI Bench Power Supply  33 applicants

 

I peeked into some webinars to see if they corresponded to roadtests (since roadtests and webinars are complementary programs that are often cross-promoted). They seem to be similar. For example:

MPS Four-Channel Output Power Module EVM  14 applicants

Techniques and Technologies for Better Power Management Design (Win a Power Module!)  30 registrants

 

I was hoping to get some insights into the historically lower number of applicants for power-focused roadtests. This information can not only help me, but also help me work with our sponsors.

 

Poll Question: Why haven't you applied for power-focused roadtests?  Why do you think there is a historically lower number of applicants for power focused roadtests than other roadtests?

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  • Personally, I would probably have signed up for one of these road tests, but I've been crazy busy lately. It would certainly only have been one of them though. Maybe a run of similar(ish) devices to road test probably didn't help with uptake?

     

    Things that tend to motivate me to apply for a road test are:

    • Is it something I'd make use of afterwards? Gough's "value for time" comment really resonated.
    • Is it something I think I can do a good job testing? There's no point doing a bad job.
    • Do I have the time to do the road test? Sometimes I do. Other times I don't.
    • Is it something I'm interested in? I applied to road tested a few FPGA boards because I wanted to learn more about FPGAs.
    • Is it something I can help with? I have enrolled for an undersubscribed road test in the past because I wanted to support the road test program that's given us so much in the past. (Couldn't do that this time. Sorry.)
  • in reply to Fred27

    Fred,

     

    You've supported and participated in the Roadtest program in a big way. I really do appreciate it. Thanks for mentioning your motivators.  This feedback is really useful.

     

    For me, I am trying to get a better handle on products that the members want to roadtest and the products that suppliers want roadtested.  I sometimes am given an option or can ask for a different product to roadtest. When I am not given an option, I need to communicate realistic expectations of number of applicants, etc.

     

    I have always got the sense that our members are busy people and sometimes are not available. So the question arises how many roadtests should I be launching a month. But that's a question for perhaps another discussion.

     

    Thanks!

     

    Randall

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  • in reply to Fred27

    Fred,

     

    You've supported and participated in the Roadtest program in a big way. I really do appreciate it. Thanks for mentioning your motivators.  This feedback is really useful.

     

    For me, I am trying to get a better handle on products that the members want to roadtest and the products that suppliers want roadtested.  I sometimes am given an option or can ask for a different product to roadtest. When I am not given an option, I need to communicate realistic expectations of number of applicants, etc.

     

    I have always got the sense that our members are busy people and sometimes are not available. So the question arises how many roadtests should I be launching a month. But that's a question for perhaps another discussion.

     

    Thanks!

     

    Randall

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