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An alternative energy vehicle’s hybrid systems operate in complex sequences of electric-first driving operation while combined with intelligent engine use and regenerative break for recharging the battery during driving processes. [1] And here is that twist: during the short driving haul of 10KM, the battery would have undergone transient charge and discharge status repetitively for tens of thousands of times, meanwhile that all of your PHEV’s components like infotainment, lights and indicators keep working unaffected.
What we would like to address here is how, during the seemingly simple yet highly complex operation of a PHEV on the road, all the components that make up the vehicle work together reliably to keep the entire system operating smoothly. Here comes to that topic we will cover in this article, which is all about the application of programmable power supply for validating electrical devices’ reliability.
A programmable power supply, does not exclusively refer to a power source whose current, voltage, and power, among with other miscellaneous electrical characteristics settings can be arbitrary and voluntarily configured and controlled by the users, but as well refer to sometimes an electronic load with similar functionalities. A programmable power supply can also be a source and load in the same unit.
A programmable power supply often comes with an HMI interface, alongside which there are buttons and knobs with which the user can adjust the unit’s output or electrical parameters. Nevertheless, the most distinct feature that sets a programmable power supply different from a pure source or load is the option of controlling it through a remote interface such as a host computer. Together with a certain control software installed, the user will be able to set up the power supply’s output automatically and programmatically.
Fig 1. Programmable Power Supply Connected to a Remote Host Computer for Automatic Sequencing and Setting
Although programmability is often regarded as the defining characteristic of a programmable power source and merits a dedicated, in-depth discussion, this chapter first steps back to examine the more fundamental and indispensable functions that such an instrument must inherently provide. More details about how programmable power supply conducts automated test sequences should be covered in later chapters.
Power testing instruments with programmable settings should be capable of, as the most basic essential function, sourcing as per required patterns and waveforms either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC), or every so often a combination of them. Below are some primary types of programmable power:
Fig 2. AC, DC and Hybrid Programmable Power Supplies by ActionPower
As one of the most fundamental capabilities a programmable power supply is expected to provide, it must be able to deliver current, voltage, or power to a device under test (DUT) in a controlled and regulated manner, holding one parameter constant while allowing another to vary, so as to observe and verify the DUT’s electrical behaviour and response under defined operating conditions.
Constant Current (CC), Constant Voltage (CV), and Constant Power (CP) modes, as referred to for above applications, are implemented in programmable power supply through well-defined control loop architectures built on a common power stage.
$$ \begin{aligned} \textbf{Constant Voltage (CV):}\quad & V(t) = V_{\mathrm{ref}}, \quad I(t)\ \text{varies with load} \\[6pt] \textbf{Constant Current (CC):}\quad & I(t) = I_{\mathrm{ref}}, \quad V(t)\ \text{varies with load} \\[6pt] \textbf{Constant Power (CP):}\quad & P(t) = V(t)\cdot I(t) = P_{\mathrm{ref}}, \quad V(t), I(t)\ \text{co-vary} \end{aligned} $$
$$
P_{\mathrm{ref}}
\;\Rightarrow\;
\begin{cases}
I_{\mathrm{ref}} = \dfrac{P_{\mathrm{ref}}}{V_{\mathrm{meas}}}, \\[8pt]
\text{or} \\[4pt]
V_{\mathrm{ref}} = \dfrac{P_{\mathrm{ref}}}{I_{\mathrm{meas}}}
\end{cases}
\;\Rightarrow\;
\text{Inner CC / CV Loop}
$$
From an engineering perspective, CC and CV loops typically operate in parallel with automatic priority selection, while CP relies on algorithmic control and stability management. This control-based implementation reflects industry-standard practices and aligns with the design principles used in professional test and measurement power supplies.
$$
\boxed{\text{Reference}\ (V_{\mathrm{ref}} / I_{\mathrm{ref}} / P_{\mathrm{ref}})}
\;\longrightarrow\;
\boxed{\text{Controller (PI / DSP)}}
\;\longrightarrow\;
\boxed{\text{Power Stage}}
\;\longrightarrow\;
\boxed{\text{DUT}}
$$
$$
\boxed{\text{Measurement}\ (V,I)}
\;\dashrightarrow\;
\boxed{\text{Feedback}}
$$
Testing and validation with programmable power instruments is all about uncompromised precision and accuracy. Any slight discrepancy between the configured setpoints and the actual output delivered to the DUT, or even any inadequacy in the accuracy of those setpoints themselves as against the digit shown on the interface, is fundamentally unacceptable.
A programmable power supply’s so-called and vague definition is precision is defined by the following parameters, as you would have noticed when studying a model’s specifications.
Fig 3. A programmable power supply reaching 6.5 Digit as measured by multimeter implies high level of accuracy and resolution
Some advanced programmable power supplies can operate, within their rated maximum power limit, at arbitrary combinations of voltage and current that comply with Ohm’s law, provided that the product of voltage and current does not exceed the specified power rating. Such a function is referred to as auto-ranging, which is preferable for testing scenarios where a wide range of both current and voltage is required within a given fixed power limit.
Fig 4. Auto-ranging’s coverage of region and boundary as delineated in I-V curve
To visualize the concept by explaining in the I–V plane, auto-ranging is characterized by a smooth, envelope-shaped operating region bounded by the maximum voltage, maximum current, and constant power limits of the power supply. Instead of a rigid rectangular V–I boundary, the usable operating area expands and contracts dynamically, allowing higher current at lower voltage and higher voltage at lower current, while transitioning continuously through a constant-power contour.
You may have also noticed that the region and boundary standing for auto-ranging covers not only quadrant-I yet also until the quadrant-II. This observation naturally leads to the concepts of quadrants, bidirectionality, and four-quadrant operation.
In a single-quadrant system, voltage and current are constrained to one polarity and power flows only from the source to the load. By contrast, a bidirectional or four-quadrant power supply is capable of operating across all four quadrants, sourcing and sinking current at both positive and negative voltages. For more complex testing scenario applications, such a function implies the instrument’s capability of working and transitioning between source and load modes, brining about considerable benefits and conveniences for testing DUTs, for example, batteries, converters and motor drives, which essentially consume and produce power during operation [2].
Fig.5 Bidirectionality allows a programmable power supply to work in both source and load modes
Handling testing scenarios with a single-channel power supply, not necessarily being referred to as a conventional one since there are also advanced high-power megawatt programmable systems which stand for cutting-edge technologies, sometimes suggests implementing multiple units of them when more than one sets of DUT is required to be validated at a time.
Multi-channel programmable power supply, by contrast, saves overall system cost and footprint allowing testing multiple DUTs delivering power to each of them from separately each of its integrated channels, although each channel typically has stricter limits on maximum voltage and power.
Fig 6. Multi-channel programmable power supply tests multiple DUTs from one unit
Beyond channel count, stackability further extends system capability: multiple power supplies can be connected in series to increase output voltage, or in parallel to boost current. This modular approach enables flexible upscaling of voltage and power to meet evolving test requirements without replacing the entire power platform.
Fig 7. DC programmable power supply in serial and parallel connection
Implementing a programmable power supply is for all intents and purposes to facilitate and streamline testing and validation for either laboratory context or for production end-of-line, with automated sequencing and settings to save time and cost. The underlying significance is all about the automation. The below context will explain how automated testing is achieved through various programmable functions of such power supplies.
Most of ActionPower’s programmable power supplies are developed with built-in interfaces as well as optional software for remote control from a host computer to instruct the unit to generate output and waveform following given automated sequences.
Fig 8. ActionPower’s TITAN AC grid simulator has built-in interface for waveform generation following list programming
Sometimes the onboard and built-in programmability functions cannot meet your expectations against complex testing scenarios such as I-V curve emulation for PV inverter testing, or sophisticated grid condition emulation for validating IEC 61000 compliance. A more advanced option is to control the programmable power supply from a remote computer with vendor software [3] which offers more powerful programming features and graphical user interfaces that facilitate testing automation and parameter setups.
Fig 9. ActionPower’s remote software allows complex settings for I-V curve simulation
A programmable power supply is usually designed with various connectivity options for matching various standard interfaces when being connected to a computer and controlled by remote softwares there, some of the standard interfaces are:
Fig 10. Interface Standards Supported by Programmable Power Supply
Apart from those preset tools and interfaces within programmable testing instrument as well as remote computer occasionally used, the most powerful approach to controlling the unit with maximum level of arbitrary and voluntarily is by coding and programmatic control. By taking advantages of programming languages, engineers can setup to the most fine-tuned aspects and control the power supply’s behaviour, in a logic, structural and scalable manner.
Programmable power supplies typically support the following programming languages and control environments, either directly or through drivers and APIs:
In practice, most programmable power supplies expose a SCPI-over-interface model, and the actual programming language choice depends on the test system architecture rather than the power supply hardware itself.
The presence of programmable power supplies is almost everything throughout industries as long as there are some regulations and standards imposed and against which manufacturers should have their products comply with the same to either ensure the safety of their users or for the verified system’s reliable operation. Applications of programmable power supplies are usually evolve with a certain industry which witnesses promising growth, below are some examples:
Fig 11. Megawatt Programmable Power Supplies by ActionPower
We appreciate your attention to this article, where we have presented a thorough introduction to the key features about programmable power supplies, and why are they essential for different testing applications thanks to their flexibility and programmability. ActionPower, ever since its foundation back in 1996, has been dedicated itself to the research and development of programmable power supplies and testing systems with constant effort attached to the engineering and innovation-driven mindset. Our expertise in power testing solutions are remarked by the following portfolios and solutions:
Get in contact with ActionPower and we will study your requirements and specifications to develop for your the right programmable power supply for handling your complex testing scenarios and use cases.
ActionPower’s Power Supply Wizard is a tool with which you can locate the model option that matches your required current, voltage, and power ratings with just a few clicks. Explore the tool and save your time with hunting for the appropriate programmable power supply.
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Zhiwei Bao's interdisciplinary background crossing industrial automation, mechanical engineering and product marketing paves the foundation to extending his profound understanding to power electronics for developing in-depth analysis and technical content for ActionPower. He converts complex testing applications and market trends into actionable technical insights.
About Zhiwei Bao
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