Vicor Full-chip PRM-RS Customer Board - Manual (Page 14)

UG:009 vicorpower.com Applications Engineering: 800 927.9474 Page 14
9.0 Test Procedure
Once the board has been setup and verified to be functional, it can now be used to characterize the
behavior, and performance of the selected configuration. Some typical tests are outlined below.
9.1 Efficiency vs. Line / Load (Ambient)
1. Connect input source through calibrated input shunt noting the value. Set to 0 Volts or OFF.
2. Connect output to load through calibrated output shunt noting the value.
Set to 0 Amps or OFF.
3. Connect DMMs to measure input voltage, output voltage, input shunt voltage, and output
shunt voltage. Use Kelvin test points for input, output, and shunt voltage measurements.
4. Turn on fan for cooling. Make sure heat sink is installed.
5. Set PC enable switch to the Left position.
6. Apply desired input voltage and load.
7. Quickly record DMM measurements to avoid heating.
i. GPIB control recommended for simultaneous DMM measurement recording.
8. Turn off input source and load. Allow device to cool to ambient temperature.
9. Repeat for all desired test conditions.
i. GPIB control recommended for line/load sweeps.
10. Use data to calculate efficiency.
9.2 Output Ripple vs. Load
1. Connect input source and load. Set to OFF.
2. Insert oscilloscope probe into output probe jack.
3. Set oscilloscope:
i. AC coupling 1 M Ω, 20 MHz bandwidth.
ii. Time scale: 1 µsec / div
iii. Voltage scale: 200 mV / division
4. Turn on fan for cooling.
5. Apply input voltage.
6. Apply load.
7. Record oscilloscope waveform. Use cursors to measure pk-pk ripple. Adjust scales as necessary.
8. Repeat for all desired conditions.
9.3 Startup Timing, Application of Input
1. Connect input source and load. Set to OFF.
2. Connect oscilloscope probes to V IN , V OUT , and any other signals to be measured
3. Set scope voltage, and time scales appropriately.
i. 20 msec / div recommended time scale
ii. Trigger on positive edge of V IN
4. Apply desired startup load
5. Set input source to ramp from 0 to V
IN(NOM)
.
i. Ensure that the slew rate is within acceptable limits
6. Capture waveform. Adjust scales as necessary.