Electrical power supplies and related systems

Abstract

Electrical power supplies and related systems are disclosed. An electrical power supply as disclosed comprises a router module, two or more controllers communicatively coupled to the router module, and two or more electrical supply modules. Each of the electrical supply modules comprises one or more channels configured to generate one or more electrical outputs. The router module is configured to receive control signals from an external processing system, and to send the control signals to the controllers. Each of the controllers is configured to control the channels of a separate one of the electrical supply modules based on one or more of the control signals.

Description

[0001] ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLIES AND RELATED SYSTEMS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] [1] The present invention relates to electrical power supplies. The present invention also relates to power supply systems. The present invention also relates to electrical testing systems. The present invention also relates to systems for characterising a device. The present invention also relates to systems for supplying electrical signals and to methods for operating systems for supplying electrical signals.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] [2] Electrical power supplies generate electrical outputs, or electrical signals, including voltages or currents; in addition, they control characteristics of those electrical outputs to match user-requirements. Often found in scientific and engineering laboratories, electrical power supplies are used to test, power, and control electronic devices.

[0006] [3] Certain kinds of electronic devices, such as quantum computing devices and photonic integrated circuits, require multiple voltages or currents to function. Such signals can be generated by electrical power supplies equipped with multiple channels, but the downside is increased hardware complexity. Moreover, the operation of electrical power supplies, including routine functions like calibration, becomes more complicated and time-consuming as the number of channels increases.

[0007] [4] It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more disadvantages or limitations associated with the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

[0008] [5] Any reference in this specification to prior art or matter which is said to be known is not to be taken as an acknowledgement or admission that such prior art or matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of invention to which this specification relates.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] [6] According to an example aspect, there is provided a system for supplying electrical signals. The system comprises: a router module configured to receive and send control signals; and one or more supply modules communicatively coupled to the router module, each of the supply modules being configured to generate one or more electrical signals. Each of the supply modules comprises a processing system configured to control the operation of the supply module based on control signals received from the router module. [7] In some examples, the system further comprises one or more communication channels, each of the communication channels connecting the router module to one of the supply modules.

[0011] [8] In some examples, each of the supply modules comprises one or more supply channels, each of the supply channels comprising an analog front-end configured to generate one of the electrical signals. In some examples, each of the supply channels comprises: a first digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a voltage based on a first control signal received from the processing system of the supply module; and a second digital-to-analog converter connected to the first digital-to-analog converter and configured to generate a current based on a second control signal received from the processing system of the supply module. One of the electrical signals is generated based on the voltage generated by the first digital-to-analog converter and on the current generated by the second digital-to-analog converter.

[0012] [9] In some examples, each of the supply channels further comprises a switching circuit connected to the second digital-to-analog converter, the switching circuit being configured to switch a polarity of the electrical signal. In some examples, each of the supply channels further comprises a buffer amplifier connected between the first and second digital-to-analog converters. In some examples, the system further comprises one or more measurement modules configured to measure the electrical signals generated by the supply modules. In some examples, each of the supply modules is a source measure unit, and the processing system of each of the supply modules is configured to send signal measurement data to the router module. In some examples, the system is formed in an integrated circuit.

[0013]

[0010] According to another example aspect, there is provided a device for supplying electrical signals. The device comprises: a processing system; a first digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a voltage based on a first control signal received from the processing system; one or more supply channels connected to the first digital-to-analog converter, each of the supply channels being configured to generate a current based on a second control signal received from the processing system and to output an electrical signal having a current based on the generated current and a voltage based on the voltage generated by the first digital-to-analog converter; and a measurement system configured to measure the voltage and current of every electrical signal outputted by the supply channels; wherein each of the supply channels comprises a switching circuit configured to switch the polarity of the electrical signal.

[0011] In some examples, each of the supply channels comprises a second digital -to-analog converter configured to generate the current based on the second control signal. In some examples, each of the supply channels comprises a buffer amplifier connecting the supply channel to the first digital-to-analog converter.

[0014]

[0012] In some examples, the measurement system comprises one or more current sensors, each of the current sensors being connected to one of the supply channels. In some examples, the measurement system comprises an analog-to-digital converter comprising one or more measurement channels, each of the measurement channels being connected to one of the supply channels and configured to measure the voltage of the electrical signal outputted by the supply channel.

[0015]

[0013] According to another example aspect, there is provided a system for supplying electrical power. The system comprises: a transformer configured to be connected to an AC power source; a rectifier connected to the transformer; a positive regulator connected to the rectifier through a first connection; a negative regulator connected to the rectifier through a second connection, separate from the first connection; a first output terminal connected to the positive regulator; a second output terminal connected to the negative regulator; and a processing system configured to receive measurement data and to tune the positive and negative regulators based on the measurement data.

[0016]

[0014] In some examples, the measurement data is measurement data indicative of electrical parameters of one or more electrical signals generated by a system for supplying electrical signals connected to the first and second output terminals. In some examples, the measurement data is first measurement data, the system further comprising a measurement system configured to generate second measurement data indicative of electrical parameters at opposite ends of a first cable connected to the first output terminal and of a second cable connected to the second output terminal, wherein the processing system is configured to tune the positive and negative regulators based on the first and second measurement data. In some examples, the system further comprises a cooling system.

[0017]

[0015] According to another example aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method for operating a system for supplying electrical signals. The method comprises: receiving channel configuration data for each channel of two or more channels of the system for supplying electrical signals; presenting the channel configuration data using a user interface device; receiving user input representing states of operational parameters of one or more channels selected from the two or more channels; and setting the operational parameters of the one or more selected channels based on the user input.

[0018]

[0016] In some examples, the channel configuration data represents the operational parameters, the operational parameters comprising one or more of an output voltage range, an output current range, an output voltage threshold, an output current threshold, and a bipolar output mode.

[0019]

[0017] In some examples, setting the operational parameters comprises setting the output voltage range of a voltage DAC of one of the selected channels. In some examples, setting the operational parameters comprises setting the output current range of a current DAC of one of the selected channels.

[0020]

[0018] According to another example aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method for monitoring a system for supplying electrical signals. The method comprises: receiving measurement data for each channel of one or more channels of a system for supplying electrical signals; detecting from the measurement data a predetermined event at one or more of the channels; and, in response to detecting the event at one or more of the channels, sending an alert for each of the one or more channels to a user-operated processing system.

[0021]

[0019] In some examples, the method further comprises receiving user input specifying the event.

[0022]

[0020] In some examples, the event is a crossing of an electrical parameter threshold, wherein the data comprises measurement values for the electrical parameter for the channels, and wherein detecting the predetermined event at one of the channels comprises determining that the measurement value for the channel is less than or greater than the electrical parameter threshold. In some examples, the electrical parameter is one of voltage and current.

[0023]

[0021] In some examples, the event is a short circuit, wherein the data comprises measured voltage values and measured current values for the channels, and wherein detecting the predetermined event at one of the channels comprises determining that the measured voltage value for the channel is less than a voltage threshold and the measured current value for the channel is greater than a current threshold.

[0024]

[0022] In some examples, the method further comprises presenting the alert for each of the one or more channels using a user interface device.

[0023] According to another example aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method for operating a system for supplying electrical signals. The method comprises: determining an electrical load on a channel of the system for supplying electrical signals; determining an expected voltage for the channel based on the electrical load and a set current of the channel; determining a difference between the expected voltage and a set voltage of the channel; in response to determining that the difference is less than a voltage threshold: determining a relative current error based on the set current and a measured current of the channel; if the relative current error exceeds a current error threshold, changing the set current of the channel to a new current value. Or, in response to determining that the difference is greater than the voltage threshold: determining a relative voltage error based on the set voltage and a measured voltage of the channel; if the relative voltage error exceeds a voltage error threshold, changing the set voltage to a new voltage value.

[0025]

[0024] According to another example aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method for operating a system for supplying electrical signals. The method comprises: setting a voltage and a current of a channel of the system for supplying electrical signals to a target voltage and a target current, respectively; determining an electrical load on the channel; determining a voltage ceiling for the channel based on the electrical load, the target current, and an electrical characteristic of the channel; and, if the target voltage is greater than the voltage ceiling, setting the voltage of the channel to the voltage ceiling.

[0026]

[0025] In some examples, the electrical characteristic of the channel is a maximum voltage drop across a digital-to-analog converter of the channel.

[0027]

[0026] In some examples, determining an electrical load comprises: measuring an output voltage of the channel; measuring an output current of the channel; and determining the electrical load based on the output voltage and output current.

[0028]

[0027] According to another example aspect, there is provided an electrical testing device comprising: a plurality of ports; and a plurality of impedance elements, each of the impedance elements comprising two terminals directly connected to two of the ports. The impedance elements are electrically isolated from each other. In some examples, the electrical testing device further comprises a board, wherein the ports are located on the same side of a board.

[0029]

[0028] According to another example aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method for operating a system for supplying electrical signals, the method comprising, for each channel of two or more channels of the system for supplying electrical signals: setting electrical parameters of the channel; controlling the system for supplying electrical signals to generate in the channel an output electrical signal with the set electrical parameters; receiving, from a measurement device under test, first measurement data of the output electrical signal; receiving, from a second measurement device, second measurement data of the output electrical signal; and determining channel calibration data based on the first and second measurement data.

[0030]

[0029] In some examples, the electrical parameters comprise one or more of voltage and current. In some examples, the system for supplying electrical signals is connected to the foregoing electrical testing device.

[0031]

[0030] According to another example aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method for enabling a software application to interact with a device for supplying electrical signals. The method comprises: receiving identification information of a new device; determining whether the new device is designated as a master device in a device network; in response to determining that the new device is designated as a master device, generating a communication socket in the software application, sending a connection request to the new device through the communication socket, receiving device data through the communication socket, and generating device variables in the software application; in response to determining that the new device is not designated as a master device, instructing an existing master device in the device network communicatively coupled to the software application to connect to the new device as a slave, and receiving device data; and generating, for each channel of one or more channels of the new device, channel variables in the software application.

[0032]

[0031] In some examples, the software application is a graphical user interface, the method further comprising, for each of the channels, generating graphical user interface objects for the channel in the graphical user interface. In some examples, the device variables comprise one or more of communication variables for communicating with the new device, graphical user interface objects, and operational settings of the new device.

[0033]

[0032] In some examples, determining whether the new device is designated as a master device comprises comparing the number of slave devices connected to the existing master device to a maximum number of slave devices, wherein the new device is designated as a master if the number of slave devices connected to the existing master device is greater than or equal to the maximum number of slave devices.

[0034]

[0033] According to another example aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method for communicatively coupling a device for supplying electrical signals to other devices. The method comprises: generating a first socket; receiving a connection request through the first socket; sending device data through the first socket; receiving measurement data from a measurement system of the device; and sending the measurement data through the first socket.

[0035]

[0034] In some examples, the method further comprises: receiving a request to add a slave device; generating a second socket for communicating with the slave device; sending a connection request to the slave device through the second socket; and receiving from the slave device slave device data. In some examples, the method further comprises: receiving slave measurement data from the slave device; and sending the slave measurement data through the second socket.

[0036]

[0035] According to another example aspect, there is provided a system for characterising a photonic circuit. The system comprises: a system for supplying one or more electrical signals, the system for supplying one or more electrical signals being configured to be connected to a photonic circuit; a first measurement system configured to measure the one or more electrical signals; and a processing system. The processing system is configured to: control the system for supplying electrical signals to generate one or more electrical signals; receive, from the first measurement system, first measurement data representing the electrical signals; receive, from a second measurement system, second measurement data representing the optical signals; and train a machine learning model using the first and second measurement data to leam a relation between the electrical signals and the optical signals.

[0037]

[0036] In some examples, the system further comprising the photonic circuit connected to the system for supplying electrical signals, the photonic circuit comprising two or more optical modulators, each optical modulator being configured to receive at least one of the electrical signals.

[0038]

[0037] According to another example aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method for characterising a photonic circuit. The method comprises: controlling a system for supplying electrical signals to generate one or more electrical signals; receiving first measurement data of the one or more electrical signals; receiving second measurement data of one or more optical signals; and training a machine learning model using the first and second measurement data to determine a relation between the electrical signals and the optical signals.

[0039]

[0038] In some examples, the method further comprises: receiving user input representing one or more target optical parameters; determining, using the machine learning model, one or more electrical parameter settings based on the target optical parameters; and controlling the system for supplying electrical signals to generate one or more electrical signals based on the electrical parameter settings. In some examples, the electrical signals are generated with random electrical parameters.

[0040]

[0039] According to another example aspect, there is provided an electrical power supply comprising: a router module; two or more controllers communicatively coupled to the router module; and two or more electrical supply modules, each of the electrical supply modules comprising one or more channels configured to generate one or more electrical outputs. The router module is configured to receive control signals from an external processing system, and to send the control signals to the controllers. Each of the controllers is configured to control the channels of a separate one of the electrical supply modules based on one or more of the control signals.

[0041]

[0040] In some examples, each channel of at least one of the channels comprises an analog front-end configured to generate one of the electrical outputs.

[0042]

[0041] In some examples, each channel of at least one of the channels comprises: a first digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a voltage based on a first control signal of the control signals; and a second digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a current based on a second control signal of the control signals; wherein the electrical output generated by the channel comprises a voltage based on the voltage generated by the first digital-to-analog converter and a current based on the current generated by the second digital- to-analog converter. In some examples, the first and second digital-to-analog converters are electrically coupled such that the voltage generated by the first digital-to-analog converter is supplied to an input terminal of the second digital-to-analog converter, and the second digital- to-analog converter comprises an output terminal and is configured to supply to the output terminal the current generated by the second digital-to-analog converter and a voltage based on the voltage supplied to the input terminal. In some examples, each channel of the at least one channel further comprises a buffer amplifier interconnecting the first and second digital- to-analog converters. In some examples, each channel of the at least one channel further comprises a demultiplexer communicatively coupled to one of the controllers, the demultiplexer being configured to direct the first control signal to the first digital-to-analog converter and the second control signal to the second digital-to-analog converter.

[0043]

[0042] In some examples, wherein each channel of at least one of the channels comprises: a first digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a voltage based on a first control signal of the control signals; a differential output generator electrically coupled to the first digital-to-analog converter; and a first output terminal and a second output terminal electrically coupled to the differential output generator; wherein the differential output generator is configured to differentially apply the voltage generated by the first digital-to- analog converter to the first and second output terminals. In some examples, each channel of the at least one channel further comprises a current sensor configured to measure the current flowing through the first and second output terminals, and a voltage sensor configured to measure the voltages at the first and second output terminals, and one of the controllers is configured to determine the voltage output by the channel based on voltages measured at the first and second output terminals of the channel. In some examples, the voltage sensor comprises an analog-to-digital converter comprising a first input terminal and a second input terminal electrically coupled to the first output terminal and the second output terminal, respectively, of the channel. In some examples, each channel of the at least one channel further comprises a switching circuit electrically coupled to the first and second output terminals, the switching circuit being configured to switch a polarity of the electrical output between the first and second output terminals. In some examples, the switching circuit comprises a first switch and a second switch electrically coupling the first and second output terminals, respectively, to points with a common electrical potential, and a shift register configured to control the first and second switches. In some examples, the differential output generator comprises a second digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a current based on a second control signal of the control signals.

[0044]

[0043] In some examples, each of the control signals comprises an identifier of one of the channels, and wherein, for each control signal, the router module is further configured to select the controller among the controllers that is configured to control the channel corresponding to the identifier of the control signal, and to send the control signal to the selected controller.

[0044] In some examples, the electrical power supply further comprises one or more measurement modules communicatively coupled to the router module and configured to measure the electrical outputs, wherein the router module is further configured to receive data signals from the measurement modules, and to send the data signals to the external processing system. In some examples, the router module is further configured to assign to each of the data signals an identifier of the channel to which the data signal pertains, and to send the identifier to the external processing system.

[0045]

[0045] In some examples, the controllers are communicatively coupled to the router module through separate communication links.

[0046]

[0046] According to another example aspect, there is provided a power supply system comprising: the electrical power supply described above; a positive regulator configured to be electrically coupled to a power source; a negative regulator configured to be electrically coupled to the power source separately from the positive regulator; a first electrical conductor electrically coupling an output terminal of the positive regulator to the electrical power supply; a second electrical conductor electrically coupling an output terminal of the negative regulator to the electrical power supply; and a processing system configured to receive measurement data indicative of electrical outputs generated by the electrical power supply, and to tune the positive and negative regulators based on the measurement data.

[0047]

[0047] In some examples, the measurement data is first measurement data, the power supply system further comprising a measurement system configured to generate second measurement data indicative of electrical parameters in the first and second electrical conductors, wherein the processing system is configured to tune the positive and negative regulators based on the first and second measurement data.

[0048]

[0048] In some examples, the power source is an AC power source, the power supply system further comprising a transformer configured to be electrically coupled to the AC power source, and a rectifier electrically coupled to the transformer, wherein the positive and negative regulators are separately electrically coupled to the rectifier. In some examples, the transformer is centre-tapped so as to be configured to generate a positive electrical output and a negative electrical output, wherein the transformer is electrically coupled to the rectifier to supply to the rectifier the positive and negative electrical outputs separately, wherein the rectifier is configured to rectify the positive electrical output to generate a rectified positive electrical output and to rectify the negative electrical output to generate a rectified negative electrical output, and wherein the rectifier is electrically coupled to the positive and negative regulators to supply the rectified positive electrical output to the positive regulator and to supply the rectified negative electrical output to the negative regulator. In some examples, the power supply system further comprises a cooling system configured to regulate the temperature of the power supply system.

[0049]

[0049] According to another aspect, there is provided an electrical testing system comprising: an electrical testing device comprising a board and a plurality of impedance elements fixed to the board, the board comprising a plurality of pairs of connection points, each of the pairs of connection points being electrically coupled to a separate one of the impedance elements, wherein the impedance elements are electrically isolated from each other; and the electrical power supply described above, wherein each of the channels is electrically coupled to a separate one of the pairs of connection points.

[0050]

[0050] According to another aspect, there is provided a system for characterising a device, the system comprising: the electrical power supply described above; a first measurement system configured to measure the one or more electrical signals; and a processing system. The processing system is configured to: control the electrical power supply to generate one or more electrical outputs; receive, from the first measurement system, first measurement data representing the electrical outputs; receive, from a second measurement system, second measurement data representing response signals from the device; and train a machine learning model using the first and second measurement data to infer a relation between the electrical signals and the response signals.

[0051]

[0051] In some examples, the device is a photonic circuit and the response signals are optical signals. In some examples, the system further comprises the photonic circuit connected to the electrical power supply, the photonic circuit comprising two or more optical modulators, each optical modulator being configured to receive at least one of the electrical outputs of the electrical power supply.

[0052] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053]

[0052] Examples of the present invention are described next with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0054]

[0053] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an example electrical power supply;

[0055]

[0054] Figures 2 and 3 show block diagrams of example electrical power supplies connected to multiple electrical loads;

[0055] Figure 4 shows a block diagram of an example electrical supply module of an electrical power supply;

[0056]

[0056] Figure 5 shows a circuit diagram of a channel of the electrical supply module of Figure 4;

[0057]

[0057] Figure 6 shows a block diagram of another example electrical supply module;

[0058]

[0058] Figure 7 shows a circuit diagram of a channel of the electrical supply module of Figure 6;

[0059]

[0059] Figure 8 shows the direction of output current flow in the channel of Figure 7 when the channel operates in sourcing mode;

[0060]

[0060] Figure 9 shows the direction of output current flow in the channel of Figure 7 when the channel operates in sinking mode;

[0061]

[0061] Figure 10 shows a circuit diagram of a switching circuit of the channel of Figure 7;

[0062]

[0062] Figure 11 shows a block diagram of an example system for supplying electrical power;

[0063]

[0063] Figure 12 shows a block diagram of an example graphical user interface for interacting with a system for supplying electrical signals;

[0064]

[0064] Figure 13 shows a flowchart of an example method for operating a system for supplying electrical signals;

[0065]

[0065] Figure 14 shows a block diagram of an example software for performing the method of Figure 13;

[0066]

[0066] Figure 15 shows a flowchart of an example method for monitoring a system for supplying electrical signals;

[0067]

[0067] Figure 16 shows a block diagram of an example software for performing the method of Figure 15;

[0068]

[0068] Figure 17 shows a flowchart of an example method for monitoring an electrical parameter;

[0069]

[0069] Figure 18 shows a flowchart of an example method for monitoring a short circuit condition;

[0070]

[0070] Figure 19 shows a flowchart of another example method for operating a system for supplying electrical signals;

[0071]

[0071] Figure 20 shows a flowchart of another example method for operating a system for supplying electrical signals;

[0072]

[0072] Figure 21 shows heat dissipation in an example channel of an electrical power supply;

[0073] Figure 22 shows a flowchart of another example method for operating a system for supplying electrical signals;

[0073]

[0074] Figure 23 shows a circuit diagram of an example electrical testing device;

[0074]

[0075] Figure 24 shows a flowchart of an example method for enabling a software application to interact with a device;

[0075]

[0076] Figure 25 shows a flowchart of an example method for enabling a graphical user interface to interact with a device;

[0076]

[0077] Figure 26 shows a flowchart of an example method for communicatively coupling a device for supplying electrical signals to one or more other devices;

[0077]

[0078] Figure 27 shows a flowchart of an example embodiment of the method of Figure 26;

[0078]

[0079] Figure 28 shows block diagrams of an example device network at different stages of development;

[0079]

[0080] Figure 29 shows a block diagram of an example system for characterising a photonic circuit; and

[0080]

[0081] Figure 30 shows a flowchart of an example method for characterising a photonic circuit.

[0081] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0082]

[0082] The terms “processing system” and “controller” may refer to any electronic processing device or system, or computing device or system, or combination thereof (e.g. computers, web servers, smart phones, laptops, microcontrollers, etc.), and may include a distributed computing system, such as a cloud computing system. In general, processing or computing systems may include one or more processors (e.g. CPUs, GPUs), memory components, and input / output interfaces, connected by at least one bus. They may further include input / output devices (e.g. a keyboard, a display, a touchscreen, etc.). Processing or computing systems may be configured to execute instructions and process data, or perform operations on data, stored in memory. Processing or computing systems may be programmable through software.

[0083]

[0083] The term “electrical signal” may refer to an electrical current and / or voltage not necessarily conveying information. Unless specified otherwise, an electrical signal may be an analog DC signal or an analog signal comprising both a DC component and an AC component. The terms “electrical signal” and “electrical output” are used interchangeably herein.

[0084] Unless specified otherwise, an electrical parameter may correspond to, or may be derived from one or more of, a voltage, a current, a power, a frequency, or a phase of an electrical signal.

[0084]

[0085] An example electrical power supply 100, or system for supplying electrical signals, is shown in Figure 1. Electrical power supply 100 comprises a control interface or router module 110 and multiple electrical supply modules 120, each of which comprises one or more channels configured to generate one or more electrical outputs or signals 122. Electrical outputs 122 may be used to test, power, or control electrical loads (not shown) electrically coupled to the channels of supply modules 120. Electrical power supply 100 further comprises multiple controllers or processing systems forming part of electrical supply modules 120 (in other examples, the controllers and electrical supply modules 120 are separate devices). The controllers are communicatively coupled to router module 110.

[0085]

[0086] Router module 110 is configured to receive control or incoming signals from an external processing system 130, and to send the control signals to the controllers. In turn, the controllers are configured to control the channels of electrical supply modules 120 based on the control signals received from router module 110.

[0086]

[0087] Each controller controls the channels of a separate electrical supply module 120, and, conversely, each electrical supply module 120 is controlled by a separate controller, so that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the controllers and electrical supply modules 120 — i.e. every electrical supply module 120 comprises one controller. The channels of any electrical supply module 120 may be independently controlled, thus being able to generate independent electrical outputs, or they may be correlated, sharing one or more components, such that the generated electrical outputs have some predefined relation between them (e.g. the same voltage and / or the same current).

[0087]

[0088] External processing system 130 may be operated by a user to control electrical power supply 100. External processing system 130 is communicatively coupled to router module

[0088] 110 to send the control signals to router module 110. In some examples, external processing system 130 also receives signals from router module 110. Router module 110 may be further configured to receive data or outgoing signals from electrical supply modules 120 or from measurement modules (described below), and to send the data signals to external processing system 130. The control signals and the data signals may be digital signals.

[0089] Router module 110 may comprise a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or any other kind of programmable logic device. Examples of suitable FPGAs include, but are not limited to, Altera® FPGAs and AMD FPGAs. Router module 110 may maintain a map or data structure associating every electrical supply module 120, channel, and / or controller to a unique identifier or address. By accessing the map, router module 110 may interpret or translate the control signals to extract one or more addresses to which the control signals are directed, and route the control signals to one or more appropriate controllers. For example, if a control signal includes a request to change the voltage of a particular channel, the signal may be routed only to the controller that controls that channel.

[0089]

[0090] Separate communication links or channels 124 connect router module 110 to every controller. Each communication link 124 has a first access point at router module 110 and a second access point at one of the controllers, so that no two controllers share the same communication link 124. Therefore, router module 110 and the controllers form a star network, with router module 110 functioning as an interface that manages communication between the controllers and external devices. In other examples, other communication channel arrangements or communication networks may be used to communicatively couple router module 110 and the controllers.

[0090]

[0091] Electrical power supply 100 further comprises a power distribution module 126 configured to supply electrical power to electrical supply modules 120 for the generation of electrical outputs 122. Power distribution module 126 may further supply electrical power to enable other functions (e.g. communication) of electrical supply modules 120 or the operation of router module 110.

[0091]

[0092] Electrical power supply 100 may further comprise one or more measurement modules configured to measure electrical outputs 122. The measurement modules may form part of electrical supply modules 120, so that each module 120 comprises a separate measurement module configured to measure electrical outputs 122 of that electrical supply module; in such cases, electrical supply modules 120 may be considered source measure units (SMUs). Router module 110 or the controllers may be further configured to assign to each data signal received from the measurement modules a unique identifier or address identifying the channel to which the data signal pertains, or from which the data signal was derived. Router module 110 may send the identifier, along with the data signal, to external processing system 130, so that the source of the data signal can be more easily identified.

[0093] In some examples, electrical power supply 100 is formed in an integrated circuit, such as an electronic or photonic integrated circuit, in accordance with system-on-a-chip (SoC) principles. In other examples, electrical power supply 100 is formed as a module, in accordance with system -on-a-module (SoM) principles.

[0092]

[0094] Therefore, electrical power supply 100 allows any number of electrical supply modules 120 or channels to be controlled concurrently and independently. Since every electrical supply module 120 has its own dedicated controller or core to manage the module’s operation and communication, the latency of electrical power supply 100 may not significantly deteriorate as the number of electrical supply modules 120 increases, facilitating scalability and supporting more channels.

[0093]

[0095] The number of electrical supply modules 120 may be varied based on the number of electrical loads to be supplied with electrical signals. For example, Figure 2 shows an example electrical power supply 100 including only one electrical supply module 120 with five channels connected to five electrical loads 128, and Figure 3 shows another example electrical power supply 100 including three electrical supply modules 120, each with five channels, connected to 15 electrical loads 128. In general, electrical power supply 100 may comprise any number of electrical supply modules 120 (and any number of controllers), including one or more.

[0094]

[0096] In addition, since electrical supply modules 120 are controlled and operate independently of each other, electrical power supply 100 may comprise different types of electrical supply modules 120, including unipolar SMUs, bipolar SMUs, and differential SMUs.

[0095]

[0097] An example electrical supply module 120 is shown in Figure 4, comprising a processing system or controller 132 and multiple analog front-ends 134, one for each channel of electrical supply module 120. Controller 132 is communicatively coupled to router module 110, as described above. Each analog front-end 134 comprises signal conditioning circuitry and is configured to generate and output an electrical signal.

[0096]

[0098] An example channel or analog front-end 134 is shown in Figure 5, comprising a first or voltage-source digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 136 and a second or current-source DAC 138. DAC 136 is configured to generate or output a voltage based on a first control signal from processing system 130. DAC 138 is configured to generate or output a current based on a second control signal from processing system 130. An output voltage terminal of DAC 136 is electrically connected to a supply-voltage terminal of DAC 138, so that an electrical signal generated by analog front-end 134 at the output terminal of DAC 138 has a voltage determined, at least in part, by DAC 136, and a current determined, at least in part, by DAC 138. A buffer amplifier 140, such as a voltage follower or a unity-gain amplifier, with a high input impedance and a low output impedance, may be connected between the output terminal of DAC 136 and the supply-voltage terminal of DAC 138. Analog front-end 134 further comprises a demultiplexer 142 comprising an input terminal communicative coupled to controller 132 and two output terminals separately connected to control terminals of DACs 136 and 138. Demultiplexer 142 is configured to direct the first and second control signals to DACs 136 and 138, respectively.

[0097]

[0099] DACs 136 and 138 may be configured to operate in different modes with different output voltage and current ranges, respectively. For example, when operating in a first mode, DAC 136 may be configured to output voltages between 0 and 5 V, and when operating in a second mode DAC 136 may be configured to output voltages between 0 and 10 V. Different output ranges may have different resolutions of output voltage or current because of the limited number of control bits that the DAC may respond to. In general, the resolution of the output decreases as the output range increases.

[0098]

[0100] In other examples, the channels of a supply module 120 may comprise any other circuit or device configured to generate electrical signals. In some examples, a supply module 120 is any of the systems and devices configured to generate electrical signals described in International Application No. PCT / IB2021 / 056696, filed on 26 July 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0099]

[0101] Another example electrical supply module 150, or device for supplying electrical signals, is shown in Figure 6. Electrical supply module 150 may function as a bipolar power controller, configured to source and sink current and to control the current linearly, including for current values at or near 0 mA. For contrast, common bipolar operational amplifiers do not have current-limiting capabilities, and those that do, as is the case for LT1970, may not be able to control current near 0 mA, so that current control is not linear from 0 mA.

[0100] Electrical supply module 150 may be one of the electrical supply modules of electrical power supply 100, or it may be operated as a stand-alone device.

[0102] Electrical supply module 150 comprises a processing system or controller 152 and a first or voltage-source DAC 154 configured to generate or output a voltage based on a first control signal received from processing system 152.

[0101]

[0103] Electrical supply module 150 further comprises multiple differential output generators 160 electrically connected to DAC 154 and multiple pairs of output terminals or paths, one pair for each differential output generator 160. A differential output generator 160 and a pair of output terminals electrically coupled to that differential output generator 160 together form a channel of electrical supply module 150. Each differential output generator 160 is configured to differentially apply the voltage generated by DAC 154 to one of the pairs of output terminals, thus splitting the output voltage of each channel between two output terminals and generating a differential electrical output.

[0102]

[0104] Electrical supply module 150 further comprises a measurement system configured to measure the voltage and current of every electrical output generated by the channels of electrical supply module 150. The measurement system comprises multiple current sensors 170, each of which is configured to measure the current flowing through a pair of output terminals of one of the channels. For every channel, a current sensor 170 is connected to the pair of output terminals of the channel, in series with differential output generators 160. The measurement system further comprises multiple voltage sensors in the form of a multichannel analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 172. ADC 172 comprises a separate pair of input terminals for each channel of electrical supply module 150. Each pair of input terminals of ADC 172 is connected to the pair of output terminals of a channel (i.e. one input terminal being connected to the “high” output terminal, and the other input terminal being connected to the “low” output terminal). Each measurement channel of ADC 172 is configured to measure the voltage at one of the output terminals of electrical supply module 150 — the voltage output by any channel may then be determined based on the voltage measured at each of the output terminals of the channel (e.g. by determining the difference between the two measured voltages).

[0103]

[0105] Electrical supply module 150 further comprises a voltage regulator 156 configured to power processing system 152, DAC 154, ADC 172, differential output generators 160, and any other component of electrical supply module 150.

[0104]

[0106] Each differential output generator 160 may also be configured to generate or output a current based on a second control signal received from processing system 152. The second control signals sent to different differential output generators 160 may be the same (so that the currents they generate are the same) or different (so that the currents they generate are different). Each differential output generator 160 may also be configured to output an electrical output having a current based on the generated current and a voltage based on the voltage generated by DAC 154. The voltage and current output by each channel would generally be lower than the initially generated voltage and current on account of electrical losses and auxiliary (e.g. measurement) circuits that may draw part of the generated voltage and current.

[0105]

[0107] An example differential output generator 160 is shown in Figure 7, which comprises a second or current-source DAC 162 configured to generate a current based on the second control signal. The positive supply voltage or Vdd terminal of DAC 162 is connected to voltage regulator 152 and receives power for operating DAC 162. The supply current terminal (i.e. the Current Vdd terminal in the figure) is connected to DAC 154 through a buffer amplifier 164 and receives the voltage generated by DAC 154. Since the Current Vdd terminal is also internally connected to an output terminal of DAC 162, the voltage supplied to the Current Vdd terminal is relayed to the output terminal of DAC 162.

[0106]

[0108] Differential output generator 160 further comprises a switching circuit 166 electrically coupled to a pair of output terminals of DAC 162. Switching circuit 166 is configured to switch or set the polarity of the electrical output between the pair of output terminals. For example, when differential output generator 160 operates in a sourcing mode, illustrated in Figure 8, switching circuit 160 is configured to electrically connect a first output terminal of DAC 162 with a first output terminal 167 of switching circuit 166, and to ground a second output terminal 169 of switching circuit 166. Alternatively, when differential output generator 160 operates in a sinking mode, illustrated in Figure 9, switching circuit 166 is configured to electrically connect a second output terminal of DAC 162 with second output terminal 169, and to ground first output terminal 167. Therefore, in the sourcing mode, first output terminal 167 is at a higher potential than second output terminal 169, so that the direction of conventional current flow is from terminal 167 to terminal 169, while in the sinking mode, second output terminal 169 is at a higher potential than first output terminal 167, so that the direction of conventional current flow is from terminal 169 to terminal 167.

[0107]

[0109] An example switching circuit 166 is shown in Figure 10, comprising a first switch 180 and a second switch 182 electrically coupled between first and second output terminals, respectively, of DAC 162 and ground, or any other common node. First switch 180 comprises a transistor having a drain terminal connected to the first output terminal of DAC 162. Second switch comprises a transistor 182 having a drain terminal connected to the second output terminal of DAC 162. The gate terminals of transistors 180 and 182 are connected to a shift register 184, which controls the state or switching of switching circuit 166. The use of shift register 184 instead of a processor may reduce or minimise the number of general- purpose input / output (GPIO) pins that would need to be provided on the processor. An electrical load 186 may be connected between output terminals 167 and 169.

[0108]

[0110] Processing system 152 may be configured to control the operation of DACs 154 and 162, switching circuits 166, and any other component of device 150 based on control signals received, for example, from router module 110 or from external processing system 130. Processing system 152 may be further configured to receive measurement data from the measurement system, and to send the measurement data, for example, to external processing system 130.

[0109]

[0111] Figure 11 shows an example system or power input stage 200 for supplying electrical power to an electrical power supply 210, which may be any electrical power supply described herein. System 200 may regulate the amount of power it supplies based on the demand from electrical loads 212 connected to electrical power supply 210, to reduce or avoid overheating electrical power supply 210, which could otherwise occur when electrical power supply 210 receives more power than it needs.

[0110]

[0112] System 200 comprises a transformer 220 configured to be electrically coupled to an AC power source, such as mains electricity. Transformer 220 is configured to step down, or decrease, a voltage supplied by the AC power source. Transformer 220 is a toroidal transformer, but, in other examples, it may be any other kind of transformer. An AC protection system or surge protector 222 is connected between transformer 220 and the AC power source, to prevent voltage spikes in the AC power source from reaching transformer 220.

[0111]

[0113] System 200 further comprises a rectifier 230 electrically coupled to transformer 220. From transformer 220, rectifier 230 receives two electrical outputs with opposite polarities. This is achieved by centre-tapping transformer 220, so that a point in the middle of a secondary winding of transformer 220 is connected to ground. Thus the voltages at the two opposite ends of the secondary winding have opposite polarities (relative to the middle point). These two ends are electrically coupled to rectifier 230, which is configured to rectify and to smooth both stepped-down voltages, generating a first rectified (e.g. positive) electrical output and a second (e.g. negative) rectified electrical output, with opposite polarities. In some examples, rectifier 230 comprises a diode bridge and a smoothing capacitor circuit.

[0112]

[0114] System 200 further comprises a positive regulator 232 and a negative regulator 234 electrically coupled to rectifier 230 through separate connections such that the first rectified electrical output is supplied to positive regulator 232 and the second rectified electrical output is supplied to negative regulator 234. Positive regulator 232 is configured to generate a positive output voltage and / or to source electrical current; negative regulator 234 is configured to generate a negative output voltage and / or to sink electrical current. In some examples, regulators 232 and 234 are silicon power transistors, such as transistors from series MJL2119X. Regulators 232 and 234 are tunable or adjustable regulators; in some examples, the gain of regulators 232 and 234 is tunable or adjustable. Variations in the voltage output by rectifier 230 may be steadied or reduced by regulators 232 and 234. Regulators 232 and 234 may maintain their respective output voltages despite a ripple in the output of rectifier 230 when the AC power source delivers a high current. By using both positive and negative linear regulators, system 200 can generate a bipolar electrical output (i.e. both positive and negative outputs relative to a reference, or ground, potential) with a single transformer.

[0113]

[0115] System 200 further comprises a first output terminal 240 connected to regulator 232, a second output terminal 242 connected to regulator 234, and a third output terminal 244 connected to ground. Terminals 240, 242, and 244 are connected through electrical cables 246 to electrical power supply 210, which is itself connected to one or more electrical loads or devices under test 212.

[0114]

[0116] System 200 further comprises a measurement system 250 configured to measure electrical parameters (e.g. voltage or current) at opposite first and second ends of cables 246 connected to terminals 240 and 242. In some examples, measurement system 250 comprises an ADC. The first end of one of cables 246 is the end proximate to system 200, while the second end is the end distal from system 200 (and therefore proximate to electrical power supply 210). Electrical parameters at the first end of one of cables 246 would generally be approximately equal to the electrical parameters at output terminal 240 or 242 to which the cable is connected, so measurement system 250 may measure the electrical parameters at the first ends of cables 246 by measuring electrical parameters directly at output terminals 240 and 242.

[0117] System 250 further comprises a processing system 252. Processing system 252 is configured receive first measurement data from electrical power supply 210 and / or second measurement data from measurement system 250. The first measurement data may represent electrical parameters of one or more electrical signals generated by electrical power supply 210. In some examples, processing system 252 is configured to determine one or more electrical loads powered by electrical power supply 210 from the first measurement data. Processing system 252 is further configured to tune regulators 232 and 234 based on the first and / or second measurement data. In this way, the output power of system 200 may be regulated based on the electrical load on electrical power supply 210 and / or to compensate for a voltage drop across cables 246, which may be significant when cables 246 are long.

[0115]

[0118] Processing system 252 may further be configured to operate a display device 254 to display the voltage and current output by system 200. Processing system 252 may be powered through another regulator 256 connected to rectifier 230. In some examples, regulator 256 is a 3.3 V or a 5 V linear regulator.

[0116]

[0119] System 200 further comprises a cooling system 260 configured to keep the temperature of system 200 within a predefined range for favourable operating conditions.

[0117]

[0120] Figure 12 shows an example graphical user interface (GUI) 300 for interacting with a system for supplying electrical signals, which may be any of the systems described herein or any other such system. GUI 300 may integrate different functions for controlling and monitoring multiple channels of the system for supplying electrical signals, enabling fast data transfer, control, and processing. GUI 300 may dynamically generate channel elements for controlling the channels and for displaying channel data, facilitating the management of multiple channels, and facilitating the adaptation of GUI 300 as the number of channels changes.

[0118]

[0121] GUI 300 comprises a communication module 302 configured to receive data from, and send data to, the system for supplying electrical signals. GUI 300 further comprises a measurement module 304, communicatively coupled to communication module 302, and a display module 306, communicatively coupled to measurement module 304. Measurement module 304 is configured to receive measurement data from communication module 302, and to send the measurement data to display module 306.

[0119]

[0122] GUI 300 further comprises a display user interface (UI) element 310 and a control UI element 312 for each channel of the system for supplying electrical signals. Display UI elements 310 are configured to present or display channel data, such as channel measurement data or a channel configuration, under the control of display module 306. Control UI elements 312 are configured to receive user input, such as voltage or current settings or a channel configuration, and to send the user input data to a control module 308 of GUI 300.

[0120]

[0123] Control module 308, which is communicatively coupled to communication module 302, is configured to send the user input data to communication module 302, which then sends it to the system for supplying electrical signals for controlling its operation.

[0121]

[0124] Figure 13 shows the flowchart of an example computer-implemented method 320 for operating a system for supplying electrical signals, which may be any of the systems described herein or any other such system. Method 320 presents to a user configuration data of the channels of the system for supplying electrical signals and allows the user to set operational settings of the channels. The user may set operational settings only for channels whose configuration needs to be changed, without having to reconfigure channels matching the user’s requirements. Significant savings of time and effort may thus be obtained, especially when operating a system with many channels.

[0122]

[0125] Step 322 of method 320 comprises receiving channel configuration data for each channel of two or more channels of the system for supplying electrical signals. The channel configuration data represents a state of a channel and may include information of operational parameters of the channel, including an output voltage range (or, equivalently, an output voltage resolution), an output current range (or an output current resolution), an output voltage threshold, an output current threshold, or a selection of a bipolar output mode.

[0123]

[0126] Step 324 of method 320 comprises presenting the channel configuration data through or using a user interface device. The user interface device may be any device configured to present information to a user through visual, aural, or any other means. In some examples, the user interface device is a display device, such as a computer monitor.

[0124]

[0127] Step 326 of method 320 comprises receiving user input representing states of operational parameters of one or more channels selected from the two or more channels. The channels may be selected by the user. The user input may be received from the user interface device or from any other device configured to detect user input.

[0125]

[0128] Step 328 of method 320 comprises setting the operational parameters of the one or more selected channels based on the user input. Setting the operational parameters may comprise setting the output voltage or output current range of a voltage- or current-sourcing DAC, respectively, of each selected channel.

[0126]

[0129] Method 320 may be jointly performed by a first processing system 350 and by a second processing system 360, shown in Figure 14. Processing system 350 may be a processing system of the system for supplying electrical signals, and processing system 360 may be an external processing system operated by a user. In some examples, processing system 350 is configured to store and execute a first firmware module 352 and a second firmware module 354, and processing system 360 is configured to display a GUI 362.

[0127]

[0130] Firmware module 354 is configured to receive a device configuration file, compile the device configuration file, and send the compiled file to firmware module 352. Firmware module 352 is configured to package configuration data from the file, and to send the packaged data to GUI 362. GUI 362 is configured to receive the packaged configuration data, extract the device configuration data, and display the device configuration data. The configuration data may include preset or default output voltage and output current ranges.

[0128] The user may access voltage and current range settings through GUI settings. GUI 362 is then configured to send the user-set output voltage and current ranges to firmware module 352, which is configured to unpack or parse the settings data received. This may comprise determining and storing minimum and maximum voltage or current values. Firmware module 352 then runs firmware 354 to perform calculations and directly control the system for supplying electrical signals. In some examples, this involves firmware module 354 determining DAC range registers of the DACs of the relevant channels, determining DAC addresses, and writing voltage or current ranges to the DACs.

[0129]

[0131] The use of different firmware modules to manage communication with GUI 362 and to control the hardware of the system for supplying electrical signals may improve the efficiency of execution of method 320. In other examples, processing systems 350 and 360 execute any other number or type of computer programs.

[0130]

[0132] Figure 15 shows a flowchart of an example computer-implemented method 400 for monitoring a system for supplying electrical signals, which may be any of the systems described herein or any other such system.

[0131]

[0133] Step 402 of method 400 comprises receiving measurement data for each channel of one or more channels of the system for supplying electrical signals.

[0134] Step 404 of method 400 comprises detecting from the measurement data whether a predetermined event has occurred at one or more of the channels. Method 400 may further comprise a step of receiving user input specifying the event.

[0132]

[0135] Step 406 of method 400 comprises, in response to detecting the event at one or more of the channels, sending one or more notifications, such as a notification for each of the one or more channels at which the event has been detected, to a user-operated processing system. In some examples, method 400 further comprises presenting the notification for each of the one or more channels using a user interface device.

[0133]

[0136] Method 400 may be jointly performed by first processing system 350 and by second processing system 360, as shown in Figure 16. A firmware module 408 executed by processing system 350 is configured to perform calculations on the measurement data, and to detect the event based on the calculations. In response to detecting the event, firmware module 408 is configured to transmit a notification, in the form of a status flag, to a software module 410 executed by processing system 360. In response to receiving the status flag, software module 410 may issue an alert, which may comprise presenting the alert on a user interface device.

[0134]

[0137] One example event that may be detected in method 400 is an output voltage or output current crossing a predefined threshold (i.e. rising above or falling below the threshold). As shown in Figure 17, software module 410 may allow a user to set a voltage or current threshold, and to turn on or off the detection of the threshold crossing event. Firmware module 408 may be configured to calculate the measurement value in real time to check whether the value is greater than (or less than) the set threshold. If a voltage or current value exceeds the threshold value, firmware module 408 sends a flag to the GUI of software module 410 to indicate the presence of an overvoltage. The GUI receives the flag and shows an alert notification to the user. Concurrently, firmware module 408 may regulate the voltage and current values so they do not exceed the threshold value.

[0135]

[0138] Another example event that may be detected in method 400 is a short circuit. As shown in Figure 18, software module 410 may allow a user to select variables relating to a short circuit event (e.g. voltage and / or current) and to turn on / off the feature. Firmware 408 may analyse measurement data in real time to check whether it indicates the occurrence of a short circuit in any of the channels. For each channel, the measurement data may comprise a measured current value and / or a measured voltage value, and the detection of a short circuit may be triggered when the measured current value is greater than a current threshold and / or when the measured voltage value is less than a voltage threshold. If this condition is met, firmware module 408 sends a flag to the GUI of software module 410 to indicate the detection of a short circuit. The GUI receives the flag and shows an alert notification to the user.

[0136]

[0139] Figure 19 shows another example computer-implemented method 430 for operating a system for supplying electrical signals, which may be any of the systems described herein or any other such system. Method 430 may allow the voltage or current output by any channel of the system to be automatically trimmed, reducing or preventing deviations of the voltage or current from a set value. A system operating according to method 430 may be able to maintain a constant output voltage or current under fluctuating environmental conditions.

[0137]

[0140] Step 432 of method 430 comprises determining an electrical load on a channel of the system for supplying electrical signals. Determining the electrical load may comprise measuring an output voltage and an output current of the channel, and determining the electrical load based on the output voltage and output current (e.g. by calculating the ratio of the measured voltage to the measured current).

[0138]

[0141] Step 434 of method 430 comprises determining an expected voltage for the channel based on the electrical load and a set or target current of the channel (e.g. by calculating the product of the electrical load and the set current). Step 436 of method 430 comprises determining a difference between the expected voltage and a set or target voltage of the channel (e.g. by subtracting the measured voltage from the expected voltage). The set current or voltage may have been specified by a user and may be obtained by reading a memory of the system for supplying electrical signals.

[0139]

[0142] If the difference between the expected and set voltages is less than a voltage threshold, such as 0.2 V, the channel may be inferred to be operating in constant-current mode. In that case, if the current trimming functionality is enabled (at the discretion of the user), step 438 of method 430 comprises determining a relative current error based on the set current and a measured current of the channel. If the relative current error exceeds a current error threshold, or if the relative current error is within a predetermined range, step 440 of method 430 comprises changing the set current of the channel to a new current value. In some examples, the new current value equals the set current plus the product of the current error and a constant, k , i.e. / new= / set+ / r1( / set—^measured) - In some examples, the relative current error is the difference between the set and measured currents expressed as a percentage of the set or measured current. In some examples, the predetermined error range is between 0.6% and 10%.

[0140]

[0143] Alternatively, in response to determining that the difference is greater than the voltage threshold, step 442 of method 430 comprises determining a relative voltage error based on the set voltage and a measured voltage of the channel. If the relative voltage error exceeds a voltage error threshold, step 444 of method 430 comprises changing the set voltage to a new voltage value. In some examples, the new voltage value equals the set voltage plus the product of the voltage error and a constant, k2, i.e. l^ew=et + ^ (Vset—^measured) -

[0141]

[0144] Figure 20 shows a flowchart of another example computer-implemented method 450 for operating a system for supplying electrical signals, which may be any of the systems described herein or any other such system. Method 450 may automatically equalise or reduce a disparity between the voltage supplied by DAC 136 to DAC 138 and the voltage of the electrical signal output by DAC 138 in a channel of the system. As shown in Figure 21, surplus voltage supplied to DAC 136 is a source of heat generation at DAC 138, which is usually undesirable. Method 450 may reduce the voltage excess to reduce heat formation.

[0142]

[0145] Step 452 of method 450 comprises setting a voltage of a channel of the system for supplying electrical signals to a target or assigned voltage, and setting a current of the channel to a target or assigned current. The target voltage and the target current may be specified by user input or commands, or they may be preset or default values. Setting the voltage and current may comprise setting operational parameters of DACs 136 and 138.

[0143]

[0146] Step 454 of method 450 comprises determining an electrical load on the channel. The electrical load may be determined as described for method 430.

[0144]

[0147] Step 456 of method 450 comprises determining a voltage ceiling or a voltage upper bound for the channel based on the electrical load, the target current of the channel, and one or more electrical characteristics of the channel or of the system for supplying electrical signals. One of the electrical characteristics may be a maximum voltage drop, ydrop, across DAC 138 (which is normally the voltage drop when DAC 138 outputs its maximum current). In some examples, the voltage drop is about 4 V, but it may generally be determined through trial and error for a particular DAC 138. In some examples, the voltage ceiling, Fceiling, is determined by adding the maximum voltage drop to the product of the electrical load, R. and the Current, / target, i-6- reiling ^ target T V(jrOp.

[0148] Next, the voltage ceiling is compared to the target voltage. If the target voltage is greater than the voltage ceiling, step 458 of method 450 comprises setting the voltage of the channel to the voltage ceiling. Alternatively, if the target voltage is less than or equal to the voltage ceiling, no action is taken, so that the voltage set for the channel remains unchanged.

[0145]

[0149] Method 450 may be repeated for each channel of the system for supplying electrical signals.

[0146]

[0150] Figure 22 shows a flowchart of another example computer-implemented method 500 for operating a system for supplying electrical signals, which may be any of the systems described herein or any other such system. Method 500 may automatically calibrate the system’s one or more measurement modules, so that the system can more accurately measure electrical parameters, such as voltage or current, of the supplied electrical signals.

[0147]

[0151] Step 502 of method 500 comprises setting electrical parameters of a channel of the system for supplying electrical signals. Step 504 of method 500 comprises controlling the system for supplying electrical signals to generate in the channel an output electrical signal with the set electrical parameters. Step 506 of method 500 comprises receiving, from a first measurement device, or a measurement device under test, first or unconfirmed measurement data of the output electrical signal. The measurement device under test may be the measurement module of the channel. Step 508 of method 500 comprises receiving, from a second or reference measurement device, second or reference measurement data of the output electrical signal. The reference measurement device may be a measuring instrument external to the system for supplying electrical signals, such as a multimeter.

[0148]

[0152] Step 510 of method 500 comprises determining channel calibration data based on the first and second measurement data. The channel calibration data may include an additive offset, a scaling factor, or any other compensation to be applied to subsequent measurements by the measurement device under test. The calibration data for the channel may be stored, for example, in a memory of the system, and may be automatically applied to subsequent measurements performed by the measurement module of the channel.

[0149]

[0153] When the system for supplying electrical signals comprises more than one channel, method 500 may be repeated for each of the channels, so that every channel is calibrated, either sequentially or concurrently.

[0150]

[0154] In order to facilitate the calibration of multiple channels, an electrical testing device 520 may be connected to the system 530 for supplying electrical signals, shown in Figure 23. System 530 may be any of the systems described herein or any other such system. Device 520 comprises a body 526, such as a board, and a plurality of impedance elements 524, such as resistors, fixed to body 526. Body 526 comprises a plurality of pairs of connections points or ports 522. Connection points 522 are all located on the same side of body 526. Each pair of connection points 522 is electrically coupled to a separate impedance element 524, so that a first of the connection points in the pair is electrically coupled to a first terminal of impedance element 524, and a second of the connection points in the pair is electrically coupled to a second terminal of impedance element 524.

[0151]

[0155] Impedance elements 524 are electrically isolated from each other so that a current supplied to a connection point 522 flows through only one impedance element 524 before reaching the other connection point 522 of the pair; or a voltage supplied to a pair of connection points 522 is conveyed to only one impedance element 524.

[0152]

[0156] Figure 24 shows a flowchart of an example computer-implemented method 550 for enabling a software application to interact with a device or system for supplying one or more electrical signals, which may be any of the systems described herein or any other such system. Method 550 may be performed on a processing system external to the device, such as user-operated processing system 130, which also runs the software application. The device may be communicatively coupled to the external processing system through a wired connection (e.g. an Ethernet cable) or through a wireless connection. Method 550 may be used to allow a user to interact with one or more devices for supplying electrical signals through the software application running on the external processing system.

[0153]

[0157] Each of the one or more devices may act either as a master (or first type device) or as a slave (or second type device). A master device is communicatively coupled directly with the processing system running the software application, so that the software application interacts with the master device directly. A slave device is communicatively coupled directly with a master device, so that the software application interacts with the slave device indirectly, through the slave device’s master device. To interact with a device, the software application may control the device or communicate with the device, sending data to and receiving data from the device. A slave device therefore only communicates directly with its master device, and the application software only communicates directly with master devices.

[0154]

[0158] Step 552 of method 550 comprises receiving identification information from the new device. The identification information may include one or more of an Internet Protocol (IP) address and a serial key of the device. The identification information may be manually input by the user or may be automatically detected by the processing system.

[0155]

[0159] Step 554 of method 550 comprises determining whether the new device is designated as a master device in a device network, or a set of one or more devices for supplying one or more electrical signals. When the device network is empty, so that the new device is the first device to be added to the network, the new device is designated as a master, by default. Any subsequent device added to the device network may be either a master or a slave.

[0156]

[0160] In some examples, step 554 comprises comparing the number of slave devices connected to an existing master device of the device network to a maximum number of slave devices connectable to the existing master device. The new device is then designated as a master if the number of slave devices connected to the existing master device is equal to or greater than the maximum number of slave devices, or as a slave if the existing master device has capacity for at least one other slave device. The maximum number of slave devices that can be connected to a master device may be set in the firmware of the master device. This maximum number may be manually input by the user or detected automatically by the processing system.

[0157]

[0161] In response to determining that the new device is designated as a master, step 556 of method 550 comprises generating a communication socket, or a socket interface, in the software application, sending a connection request to the new device through the communication socket, receiving device data of the new device through the communication socket, and generating device variables for the new device in the software application.

[0158]

[0162] Alternatively, in response to determining that the new device is not designated as a master, meaning that the new device is designated as a slave, step 558 of method 550 comprises instructing an existing master device (e.g. the last-added master device) in the device network communicatively coupled to the software application to connect to the new device as a slave, and receiving device data of the new device.

[0159]

[0163] The device data may comprise the number of channels of the new device.

[0160]

[0164] Step 560 of method 550 comprises generating, for each channel of one or more channels of the device, channel variables in the software application.

[0161]

[0165] In some examples, the software application is a GUI. Method 550 may then further comprise, for each of the channels, generating GUI objects for the channel in the GUI. Figure 25 shows a flowchart of an example implementation of method 550 when the software application is a graphical user interface. According to the method of Figure 25, at step 1 the IP address of a new device is input; at step 2 it is checked whether the last master device to be added is connected to a maximum number of slave devices. If the last master device is connected to the maximum number of slave devices, at step 3 a new communication socket is created, at step 4 a connection request is sent to the hardware, at step 5 a channel number is received from the hardware, and at step 6 new variables are created to manage the new device. If the last master device is not connected to the maximum number of slave devices, at step 7 a command is sent to add a slave device to the hardware, and at step 8 a channel number is received from the hardware. At step 9, a sequence is started for every channel of the new device. The sequence includes step 10 of creating new variables to manage the channel, step 11 of generating control and reading box for the channel, step 12 of generating channel settings (e.g. limit, range, and threshold) box for the channel, and step 13 of incrementing the channel number to repeat the sequence for the next channel of the new device.

[0162]

[0166] The device variables may comprise one or more of communication variables for communicating with the new device, graphical user interface objects (e.g. a number of tabs), and operational settings of the device (e.g. unipolar mode or bipolar mode).

[0163]

[0167] Figure 26 shows a flowchart of an example computer-implemented method 600 for communicatively coupling a device for supplying electrical signals to one or more other devices. The other devices may be processing systems or other devices for supplying one or more electrical signals. Method 600 may be performed by a processing system of the device, such as processing system 132. Method 600 may be implemented by firmware of the device. Methods 550 and 600 may be performed jointly.

[0164]

[0168] Step 602 of method 600 comprises generating a first socket. Step 604 of method 600 comprises receiving a connection request through the first socket. Step 606 of method 600 comprises sending device data through the first socket. Step 608 of method 600 comprises receiving measurement data from a measurement system of the device. Step 610 of method 600 comprises sending the measurement data through the first socket.

[0165]

[0169] In some examples, method 600 further comprises receiving a request to add a slave device, generating a second socket for communicating with the slave device, sending a connection request to the slave device through the second socket, and receiving from the slave device slave device data.

[0170] In some examples, method 600 further comprises receiving slave measurement data from the slave device, and sending the slave measurement data through the second socket.

[0166]

[0171] The first socket may be a publisher-server socket, which may be used for sending messages. The second socket may be a client-subscriber socket, which may be used for reading messages. In some examples, method 600 uses the ZeroMQ messaging library.

[0167]

[0172] Figure 27 shows a flowchart of an example embodiment of method 600. According to the method of Figure 27, at step 1 a socket is created for the publisher and server; at step 2 a connection request is received from a client; at step 3 a default channel count is sent to the client; at step 4 it is checked whether the device is on; if the device is on, at step 5 it is checked whether there is at least one slave device connected to the device. If there is at least one slave device, at step 6 measurements of voltage and current are received from the publisher; at step 7, the measurements of the voltage and current are published. If there isn’t at least one slave device, step 6 is skipped and step 7 is executed after step 5. At step 8 it is checked whether there is a slave request from the client. If there is no slave request, the method returns to step 4. If there is a slave request, at step 9 a new socket for a client and subscriber is created; at step 10 a connection request is sent to the slave; at step 11 the channel count and the slave count are incremented to account for the new slave device, after which the method returns to step 4.

[0168]

[0173] Figure 28 shows the development of a device network 650 as multiple devices are added to the device network using methods 550 and 600.

[0169]

[0174] Initially, device network 650 comprises a GUI 652, running on an external processing system, and a first master device 654 coupled to GUI 652. A client-subscriber socket is generated in GUI 654 for interacting with master device 654.

[0170]

[0175] Then, a first slave device 656 is coupled to master device 654. A first clientsubscriber socket is therefore generated in the firmware of master device 654 for interacting with device 656.

[0171]

[0176] Then, a second slave device 658 is coupled to master device 654. A second clientsubscriber socket is therefore generated in the firmware of master device 654 for interacting with device 658.

[0172]

[0177] Then, a second master device 660 is coupled to GUI 652. A second client-subscriber socket is therefore generated in GUI 652 for interacting with device 660.

[0178] In some examples, the systems for supplying electrical signals described herein may be used to bias or control the operating point on the transfer curve of optical modulators in photonic circuits, including optical modulators integrated in photonic integrated circuits.

[0173]

[0179] Figure 29 shows an example system 700 for characterising or controlling a photonic circuit. System 700 may be used to determine the effects of thermal crosstalk that occurs when multiple optical modulators are present in the same photonic integrated circuit. Thermal crosstalk between modulators can cause the operating points of the modulators to shift or drift. System 700 may characterise the photonic circuit by determining the effects of thermal crosstalk and by determining how operating parameters of the modulators may be altered to compensate for these effects. In other examples, system 700 may be used to characterise or control a device other than a photonic circuit. In some examples, system 700 operates automatically, or without user input.

[0174]

[0180] System 700 comprises a system 710 for supplying one or more electrical signals and a first measurement system 712 configured to measure the electrical signals. System 710 may be any of the systems described herein or any other such system. System 712 is connected to a photonic circuit 714. Measurement system 712 is connected between system 710 and photonic circuit 714. Measurement system 712 may form part of system 710 or it may be separate or external to system 710.

[0175]

[0181] System 700 further comprises a processing system 716, which is communicatively coupled to system 710, measurement system 712, and to a second measurement system on photonic circuit 714 configured to measure optical signals or any other signal generated by photonic circuit 714 in response to the electrical signals supplied by system 710. The second measurement system may form part of photonic circuit 714 or it may be separate or external to photonic circuit 714. Processing system 716 may also be communicatively coupled to another processing system 718 running a machine learning model and to a data storage system 720. In other examples, the machine learning model is executed by processing system 716.

[0176]

[0182] Processing system 716 may be configured to perform example method 750 shown in Figure 30 for characterising or for controlling photonic circuit 714.

[0177]

[0183] Step 752 of method 750 comprises controlling system 710 to generate one or more electrical signals. The electrical signals may be generated with random electrical parameters, such as random voltages. To this end, processing system 716 may further be configured to generate one or more random, including pseudorandom, numbers, and each electrical signal may have at least one electrical parameter corresponding to or based on at least one of the random numbers.

[0178]

[0184] Step 754 of method 750 comprises receiving first measurement data, such as voltages and / or currents, of the one or more electrical signals. Step 756 of method 750 comprises receiving second measurement data, such as optical power, of one or more optical signals. The first and second measurement data may be stored in data storage system 720.

[0179]

[0185] Step 756 of method 750 comprises training machine learning model 718 using the first and second measurement data to determine or infer a relation between the electrical signals and the optical signals. Relation data representing the relation may also be stored in data storage system 720.

[0180]

[0186] After the training of machine learning model 720, processing system 716 may be configured to receive user input representing one or more target optical parameters, such as optical powers. Processing system 716 is then configured to send the target optical parameters to machine learning model 718, and to receive from machine learning model 718 corresponding electrical parameter settings which are expected to correspond to the target optical parameters based on the relation determined by machine learning model 718. Processing system 716 may control system 710 to generate one or more electrical signals based on the electrical parameter settings.

[0181]

[0187] Embodiments of the invention may be used in diverse applications, including in electronic and photonic drivers, DC supply, source measurement units, RF control, electrochemical analysis, energy monitoring, Al accelerators, quantum systems, lidar spectrum control, electronic and photonic switches, and photonic analysis.

[0182]

[0188] Advantages provided by the embodiments described herein may include one or more of compactness; ease-of-use; scalability; programmability; integration; energy efficiency; control from zero-point operation with minus circuits; capability of differential output with additional amplifier and encoder circuits; allowing bipolar output to be output differentially with reduced noise; ground-separated output near the pin connector minimises bipolar output crosstalk; software-based overvoltage and current protection; short circuit warning; DC circuit input protection; wide voltage and current control range. Streamlined software may consolidate separate functions into a single compact unit for faster data transfer, control, and processing. Integrated check-load control circuits may ensure stable voltage and current outputs. Check-load functions may reduce heat formation in the DC supply. Embodiments of the invention may support multiple core module configurations, automatic trimming of voltage and current, automatic calibration, accurate thermal compensation control using a generated thermal crosstalk model, toroid low-noise power supply for unipolar and bipolar modes, easy-plug display units for current and voltage meters, and tunable DC outputs to reduce dissipation according to the required output settings.

[0183]

[0189] Optional embodiments may also be said to broadly include the parts, elements, steps and / or features referred to or indicated herein, individually or in any combination of two or more of the parts, elements, steps and / or features, and where specific integers are mentioned which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[0184]

[0190] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and any variations thereof, such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are to be interpreted in a non-exhaustive sense.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An electrical power supply comprising: a router module; two or more controllers communicatively coupled to the router module; and two or more electrical supply modules, each of the electrical supply modules comprising one or more channels configured to generate one or more electrical outputs; wherein the router module is configured to receive control signals from an external processing system, and to send the control signals to the controllers; and wherein each of the controllers is configured to control the channels of a separate one of the electrical supply modules based on one or more of the control signals.

2. The electrical power supply of claim 1, wherein each channel of at least one of the channels comprises an analog front-end configured to generate one of the electrical outputs.

3. The electrical power supply of claim 1, wherein each channel of at least one of the channels comprises: a first digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a voltage based on a first control signal of the control signals; and a second digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a current based on a second control signal of the control signals; wherein the electrical output generated by the channel comprises a voltage based on the voltage generated by the first digital-to-analog converter and a current based on the current generated by the second digital-to-analog converter.

4. The electrical power supply of claim 3, wherein the first and second digital-to-analog converters are electrically coupled such that the voltage generated by the first digital-to- analog converter is supplied to an input terminal of the second digital-to-analog converter, and wherein the second digital-to-analog converter comprises an output terminal and is configured to supply to the output terminal the current generated by the second digital-to- analog converter and a voltage based on the voltage supplied to the input terminal.

5. The electrical power supply of claim 3 or 4, wherein each channel of the at least one channel further comprises a buffer amplifier interconnecting the first and second digital-to- analog converters.

6. The electrical power supply of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein each channel of the at least one channel further comprises a demultiplexer communicatively coupled to one of the controllers, the demultiplexer being configured to direct the first control signal to the first digital-to-analog converter and the second control signal to the second digital-to-analog converter.

7. The electrical power supply of claim 1, wherein each channel of at least one of the channels comprises: a first digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a voltage based on a first control signal of the control signals; a differential output generator electrically coupled to the first digital-to-analog converter; and a first output terminal and a second output terminal electrically coupled to the differential output generator; wherein the differential output generator is configured to differentially apply the voltage generated by the first digital-to-analog converter to the first and second output terminals.

8. The electrical power supply of claim 7, wherein each channel of the at least one channel further comprises a current sensor configured to measure the current flowing through the first and second output terminals, and a voltage sensor configured to measure the voltages at the first and second output terminals, and wherein one of the controllers is configured to determine the voltage output by the channel based on voltages measured at the first and second output terminals of the channel.

9. The electrical power supply of claim 8, wherein the voltage sensor comprises an analog-to-digital converter comprising a first input terminal and a second input terminal electrically coupled to the first output terminal and the second output terminal, respectively, of the channel.

10. The electrical power supply of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein each channel of the at least one channel further comprises a switching circuit electrically coupled to the first and second output terminals, the switching circuit being configured to switch a polarity of the electrical output between the first and second output terminals.

11. The electrical power supply of claim 10, wherein the switching circuit comprises a first switch and a second switch electrically coupling the first and second output terminals, respectively, to points with a common electrical potential, and a shift register configured to control the first and second switches.

12. The electrical power supply of any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the differential output generator comprises a second digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a current based on a second control signal of the control signals.

13. The electrical power supply of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each of the control signals comprises an identifier of one of the channels, and wherein, for each control signal, the router module is further configured to select the controller among the controllers that is configured to control the channel corresponding to the identifier of the control signal, and to send the control signal to the selected controller.

14. The electrical power supply of claim 1, further comprising one or more measurement modules communicatively coupled to the router module and configured to measure the electrical outputs, wherein the router module is further configured to receive data signals from the measurement modules, and to send the data signals to the external processing system.

15. The electrical power supply of claim 14, wherein the router module is further configured to assign to each of the data signals an identifier of the channel to which the data signal pertains, and to send the identifier to the external processing system.

16. The electrical power supply of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the controllers are communicatively coupled to the router module through separate communication links.

17. A power supply system comprising:the electrical power supply of any one of claims 1 to 16; a positive regulator configured to be electrically coupled to a power source; a negative regulator configured to be electrically coupled to the power source separately from the positive regulator; a first electrical conductor electrically coupling an output terminal of the positive regulator to the electrical power supply; a second electrical conductor electrically coupling an output terminal of the negative regulator to the electrical power supply; and a processing system configured to receive measurement data indicative of electrical outputs generated by the electrical power supply, and to tune the positive and negative regulators based on the measurement data.

18. The power supply system of claim 17, wherein the measurement data is first measurement data, the power supply system further comprising a measurement system configured to generate second measurement data indicative of electrical parameters in the first and second electrical conductors, wherein the processing system is configured to tune the positive and negative regulators based on the first and second measurement data.

19. The power supply system of claim 17 or 18, wherein the power source is an AC power source, the power supply system further comprising a transformer configured to be electrically coupled to the AC power source, and a rectifier electrically coupled to the transformer, wherein the positive and negative regulators are separately electrically coupled to the rectifier.

20. The power supply system of claim 19, wherein the transformer is centre-tapped so as to be configured to generate a positive electrical output and a negative electrical output, wherein the transformer is electrically coupled to the rectifier to supply to the rectifier the positive and negative electrical outputs separately, wherein the rectifier is configured to rectify the positive electrical output to generate a rectified positive electrical output and to rectify the negative electrical output to generate a rectified negative electrical output, and wherein the rectifier is electrically coupled to the positive and negative regulators to supply the rectified positive electrical output to the positive regulator and to supply the rectified negative electrical output to the negative regulator.

21. The power supply system of any one of claims 17 to 20, further comprising a cooling system configured to regulate the temperature of the power supply system.

22. An electrical testing system comprising: an electrical testing device comprising a board and a plurality of impedance elements fixed to the board, the board comprising a plurality of pairs of connection points, each of the pairs of connection points being electrically coupled to a separate one of the impedance elements, wherein the impedance elements are electrically isolated from each other; and the electrical power supply of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein each of the channels is electrically coupled to a separate one of the pairs of connection points.

23. A system for characterising a device, the system comprising: the electrical power supply of any one of claims 1 to 16; a first measurement system configured to measure the one or more electrical signals; and a processing system configured to: control the electrical power supply to generate one or more electrical outputs; receive, from the first measurement system, first measurement data representing the electrical outputs; receive, from a second measurement system, second measurement data representing response signals from the device; and train a machine learning model using the first and second measurement data to infer a relation between the electrical signals and the response signals.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the device is a photonic circuit and the response signals are optical signals.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising the photonic circuit connected to the electrical power supply, the photonic circuit comprising two or more optical modulators, each optical modulator being configured to receive at least one of the electrical outputs of the electrical power supply.

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