Power Supply Tests

Table 2

	Load Transient		Current Limit		Efficiency and
	Recovery Time	Load Effect	Characterization	PARD	Power Factor	Start-Up

Electronic Load	trise ≤ 15 µs	1% programming	1% programming	1% programming	1% programming	1% programming
		accuracy	accuracy	accuracy	accuracy	accuracy
	Trigger output to	CC or CR mode	CR or CC mode	CC or CR mode	CC or CV mode	CR mode
	the oscilloscope			Low PARD

Digital	tsample ≤ 100 ns	N/A	N/A	tsample ≤ 25 ns	N/A	tsample ≤ 1 µs
Oscilloscope				DC to 20 MHz		Record length 1 K
				minimum bandwidth		samples minimum
				Record length
				≥2 K samples
				100 µ/Div (linears)
				1 mV/Div (switchers)

Digital	N/A	51/2 Digits	51/2 Digits	N/A	N/A	N/A
Multimeter		±0.005% accuracy	±0.005% accuracy

Wattmeter	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	1% accuracy with	N/A
					crest factors to
					10:1 in current
					waveforms

Regulated	>1% regulation	>1% regulation	N/A	>1% regulation	>1% regulation	>1% regulation
AC Source	Adjustable peak	Adjustable peak		Adjustable peak	Adjustable peak	Adjustable peak
	and frequency	and frequency		and frequency	and frequency	and frequency
					Power factor	Phase control
					measurement
					capability

RF rms	N/A	N/A	N/A	100 µV Full scale	N/A	N/A
Voltmeter				DC to 20 MHz
				minimum bandwidth

Load Transient Recovery Time

A constant voltage DC power supply is designed with a feedback loop which continuously acts to maintain the output voltage at a steady-state level. The feedback loop has a finite bandwidth, which limits the ability of the power supply to respond to a change in the load current. If the time delay between the power supply feedback loop input and output approaches a critical value at its unity gain crossover, the power supply will become unstable and oscillate. Typically, this time delay is measured as an angular difference and is expressed as a degree of phase shift. The critical value is 180 degrees of phase shift between the loop input and output.

Figure 1. Load Transient Recovery Time

Load transient recovery time measurements require an electronic load with a risetime and falltime at least five times faster than the power supply under test.

AN 372-1 specifications

Agilent Technologies AN 372-1 is a versatile and highly regarded instrument in the field of electronic testing and measurement. Designed primarily for research and development, as well as validation in production environments, this advanced technology showcases Agilent's commitment to providing high-quality measurement solutions.

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Another significant attribute of the AN 372-1 is its high dynamic range, which allows for precise detection of both weak and strong signals in the presence of noise. This characteristic is essential for engineers working to ensure signal integrity in complex systems, as it allows for the identification of issues that may otherwise go unnoticed. Coupled with a fast sweep speed, the device can quickly capture transient events or changes in signals, making it a vital tool for time-sensitive applications.

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