Switchmode Power Supply Testing Fundamentals

Fundamentals of Switch-Mode Power Supply Testing
Practical Tips & Techniques

Power supplies are driving to a level of efficiency never seen before, requiring design engineers to perform numerous specialized power measurements that are time-consuming and complex. With the right oscilloscope and the tips outlined in this poster, learn how to better ensure the reliability, stability, compliance, and safety of your switch-mode power supply (SMPS) design.
Magnetics Analysis
Power Quality
Inductors - Used in power supplies as a filter or energy storage device
i1 (t) i M (t) v1 (t)
i1 (t)
n1 : n 2
i2 (t)
Power Quality Issues - To determine the effect of the insertion of a power supply, voltage and current parameters must be measured directly on the input power line. - Power quality measurements include: - True, Apparent or Reactive Power - Power Factor/Crest Factor - Pre-compliance Testing to EN61000-3-2 Standards - Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) Apparent Power = Irms * Vrms
LM
v2 (t) i3 (t) +
Gate
Drain
Where: L is the inductance (Henry). V is the voltage across the inductor. I is the current though the inductor. dt is the rate of change in a signal; the slew rate.
v3 (t) :n3
Ideal Transformer
Source
Output Analysis
Reactive r we Power o tP n are p Ap True Power Real Axis

True Power Apparent Power
Clock
Power Quality Switching Loss Measurements Magnetics Analysis
Transformers - Multiple-winding inductor or transformer used for stepping voltages up or down with the same net power level - Two types of power losses are associated with magnetic elements: - Core Loss: Composed of hysteresis loss and eddy current loss. The hysteresis loss is a function of the frequency of operation and the AC flux swing. - Copper Loss: Due to the resistance of the copper winding wire.
Imaginary Axis

Probing Considerations
Probes and probing techniques affect the quality of a measurement. Loading and skew between probes can introduce error and distortion in power measurements. Tip: Eliminate skew between current and voltage probes. Since power is the product of voltage and current accurate measurements are made with time-aligned voltage and current waveforms. Tektronix oscilloscopes with the TekVPI interface simplify measurement setup with automated deskew. Tip: Remove voltage offset by using the built-in DC offset adjustment controls on differential probe. Additionally run the oscilloscope selfcalibration routine as often as necessary to ensure accurate voltage measurements. Tip: A TekVPI current probe has a Degauss/AutoZero button on the probe body. Depressing the AutoZero button will remove any DC offset error present in the measurement system as a result of any residual magnetic field. After Deskew Before Deskew
Power Factor =
Crest Factor = Vpeak Vrms
Switching Loss Measurements
Output Analysis
Ripple is the periodic AC component - On top of the DC voltage output Ripple frequency is related to - Line frequency - ~120 Hz in countries with 60 Hz power - ~100 Hz in countries with 50 Hz power - Switching frequency - Typically > 100 kHz
Switched-Mode Device - Compared to resistors and linear-mode devices, transistors dissipate very little power in either the On or Off states, achieving high efficiency with low heat dissipation. - Transistor switch circuits often dissipate the most energy during transitions because circuit parasitics prevent the devices from switching instantaneously. - For the most part, the switching device determines the overall performance of an SMPS.
Power Loss Overview
Turn-on Loss - Energy losses when the switching device changes from its non-conducting state to its conducting state Conduction Loss - Losses in the switching device when it is in saturation Turn-off Loss - Energy losses when the switching device changes from its conducting state to its non-conducting state.
AC component DC component
Tektronix Oscilloscopes

100 MHz to 3.5 GHz models Up to 4 analog and 16 digital channels Comprehensive Probing Solutions - TekVPI interface for easy probe connectivity - AC/DC current probes - Differential probes to make floating measurements - High voltage with high bandwidth for accurate characterization of fast edges
Learn more about Tektronix power measurement and analysis solutions at:
www.tektronix.com/power
Copyright 2011, Tektronix. All rights reserved. Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information in this publication supersedes that in all previously published material. Specification and price change privileges reserved. TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc. All other trade names referenced are the service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. 04/11 EA 48W-26435-0
Integrated Power Analysis Software - Automated power measurements including switching loss, ripple, power quality, current harmonics and modulation analysis - Measure core loss and BH curves on magnetic components - Quickly deskew voltage/current probes with built-in automation - Generate customized reports
Turn-on Loss Conduction Loss
Turn-off Loss

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Fundamentals of Switch-Mode Power Supply Testing

Practical Tips & Techniques

Inductors - Used in power supplies as a filter or energy storage device

i1 (t) i M (t) v1 (t)

Reactive r we Power o tP n are p Ap True Power Real Axis

Power Quality Switching Loss Measurements Magnetics Analysis

Crest Factor = Vpeak Vrms

Switching Loss Measurements

Power Loss Overview

Turn-on Loss Conduction Loss

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