Russell I have used the TopSwitch (TOP225) From Power Integrations in a 20 to 400 volt DC/AC application ~12w. This was not was the spec on the TOP225 but it worked, only had to use the 150w device to work at the lower input voltages. Thys -----Original Message----- From: pic microcontroller discussion list [mailto:PICLIST@mitvma.mit.edu]On Behalf Of Russell McMahon Sent: 06 November 2002 13:26 To: PICLIST@mitvma.mit.edu Subject: [EE]: Design Challenge - wide voltage input range SMPS Requirement summary: Low cost DC-DC converter, 10-200v in, 6 - 10v 5 watt out. About 2 years ago I started an interesting and ongoing discussion with my "design challenge" for a DC-DC converter. I provided my divinely inspired buck converter as a starting point. This resulted in us hearing about Richard's relay driver which in due course evolved out of all recognition into Roman's Black Converter. My original 3+ transistor design best met my original needs due to the special requirements but a number of other suggestions proved to be better in many ways for more typical low voltage applications. I am about to revisit my original design. The original has served well with thousands in operation. There have been a few failures but the exact number are unknown to me due to the complex situation and lack of provisions for feedback from end users. (Made in Taiwan, used in Europe (mainly), percentage of spares sold with equipment, swap and throw-away on fault, no provision or desire for feedback to supplier (unless, presumably, failures get extreme). As far as I can tell the design has worked well and the failure level is low enough to be easily explained by manufacturing, installation and operational happenstance. (I'd greatly love better feedback but have no control over the process.) SO - it seems a good idea to respec my requirement here (slightly changed from the original) and see if there are any new ideas which may prove useful. SPECIFICATION: Power supply for electronic equipment. Vin is sourced from a highly variable speed alternator. For a reasonable (but incorrect) mental image imagine the output from a windmill operated alternator. Input 0v - 200v DC Input can and does vary widely. Most normal range is about 20 - 100v but lower and higher is common. Few or no transients of unexpected supply "funnies." Output 6 to 12 v DC (single voltage, fixed selectable) (Any given design will use a single fixed voltage). 50 mA to 600 mA capability. Load may step suddenly. Cost Low cost in moderate manufacturing volume (500 to a few thousand at a time). (Considering all aspects of supply & manufacture) Reliability Yes please! As input voltage rises from 0v the output should rise smoothly and once Vin exceeds Vout_design, Vout should reach Vout_design with minimal extra drop. (eg if designed for 6v out it would be "nice" if this value was maintained for all Vin >= say 6.5v. (The present design produces, for a 50mA load, Vout a few tenths of a volt below Vin, for Vin < Vout_target). Efficiency is not crucial but should be high enough to allow sensible component specification and heatsinking. A TO220 (or SMD equivalent) size main switch is acceptable if necessary. Substantial heatsink is available (shared with another power device). As Pout max is say 12v x 600 mA ~= 7 watts then at 50% efficiency at full power up to 7 watts would be dissipated. At around 80% efficiency under 2w would be dissipated. In most cases Pout will be far less than this (say around 1.5w). While the lower the overall power level the better (for reasons unrelated top power supply issues) power consumption is not critically important. Input to Output isolation would be "nice" but is not essential. ie a buck converter (such as the present design) would be acceptable. Output is protected by a substantial zener at present - these go nicely short-circuit on over-voltage. In the very few failures that I have seen nothing beyond the zener has been damaged. EMI minimisation is "desirable". Will need to meet CE radiation standards. (Non mains connected so conduction standards less applicable). Current construction is single side through-hole due to cost considerations. This will be compared to Surface mount PTH for the new design to see which proves more economic. (Main circuitry is not power supply related). COMMENTS: The "tricky" aspects of the design are caused by the high maximum input voltage and the wide range of Vin. If switching regulation starts at say 10v for a 9v supply then Vin range is 10v - 200v = 20:1. Requirement for such a wide range is almost unheard of in "normal" operations. The 200 Vin_max is well above the voltage ratings of known commercial ICs - most are in the 20v - 40v max range. There is a wide range of offline IC's targeted at the universal power supply market with 110 and 230 VAC input capability. These either have internal switches rated at typically 600v or use external FET switches (typically low side N channel). However, the vast majority are designed for a minimum 85VAC rail and typically require a reasonably high DC local supply for operation. If one of these proved able to operate down to around 10V Vin and was overwhelmingly cost competitive in other respects then linear post regulation may well be acceptable. Translating simple low voltage designs to high voltage or wide input range operation may well not be straight forward. Power dissipation in bias or drive resistors which span from the high side to low side can be significant. Optimising operation at one Vin is not possible. Input most welcome. Failing any new revelation or freshly inspired designs I'll be continuing with the existing basic circuit :-) Russell McMahon -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body