A digitally programmed switched-mode power supply

Abstract

This project deals with a type of power supply which is gaining popularity as better switching devices are developed. This is the Switched-Mode Power Supply, which while offering very cool operation has inherent high voltage step-down ratios useful for operation from high voltages and delivering high powers. The bulk of my work consisted in designing a switching regulator able to receive digital instructions and an accurate method of producing these instructions. Digital programming was obtained by means of conversions and memory elements. The operator to machine interface is a keyboard arrangement and an output voltage may be obtained simply by pressing the appropriate key. Special emphasis was placed on accurate operation of the programming layout and regulator, and an obtaining very high step-down rations through the regulator. The whole scheme from keyboard to output was developed step by step, then tested. This is the way the chapters will evolve and a number of general applications will be described at the end. Limitations on the finished product were imposed by the devices available and the time factor-improvements may be made by using more accurate components and devices having wider specifications.