Programmable AC Power Supply for Output Impedance Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing AC power supplies require hardware replacement to change resistance or inductance values, making it inconvenient and potentially affecting measurement accuracy during testing.

Innovation Solution

A programmable AC power supply with a control circuit and power supply circuit that simulates output impedance by calculating voltage and phase adjustments to generate a simulated output voltage, allowing for flexible testing without hardware changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hardware replacement is used to change resistance or inductance values, then the testing can be conducted according to standards, but the operation becomes inconvenient and measurement accuracy may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidconvenience of changing resistance/inductance values
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the physical hardware parameters (resistance and inductance values) into programmable electrical parameters. The power supply system uses control circuits to adjust output voltage and phase angle through software programming, eliminating the need for physical component replacement while maintaining accurate simulation of different impedance values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical hardware system (physical resistors and inductors) with an electronic control system. The control circuit generates equivalent electrical effects through voltage and phase angle modulation, substituting physical component changes with electronic parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If hardware replacement is used to change resistance or inductance values, then different test conditions can be met, but the testing process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to meet different test conditionsVSAvoidtesting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables rapid switching between different test conditions by changing electrical parameters (voltage magnitude and phase angle) through programming, rather than physically replacing components. This allows multiple test scenarios to be configured and executed sequentially without interrupting the testing workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the previously static hardware system. The power supply can dynamically modify its output characteristics in real-time based on programming inputs, enabling flexible adaptation to different test requirements without physical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If external testing circuit with physical components is used, then flicker test requirements can be met, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance with flicker test standardsVSAvoidcomplexity of testing circuit
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the function of the external testing circuit into the power supply system itself. The control circuit integrates the impedance simulation capability, combining what were previously separate components (power supply + external R-L circuit) into a unified system that directly outputs the required test voltage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can provide standard power output and simultaneously simulate different impedance conditions (resistive, inductive, or combined) through programming. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external testing circuits for different test scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4510035A1Ac power supply capable of programming output impedance and a method for simulating output impedance
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 CHROMA ATE INC
  • EP4510035A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4510035A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4510035A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides an AC power supply capable of programming output impedance and a method for simulating output impedance. The method comprises the following steps. The simulating command, selectively provided by a control circuit, is associated with a voltage adjustment value and a phase adjustment value of a test circuit (S20). The control circuit calculates the voltage adjustment value and a preset voltage value to form a voltage command (S22), and calculates the phase adjustment value and a preset phase value to form a phase command (S24). A power supply circuit generates a simulated output voltage according to the voltage command and the phase command. The preset voltage value and the preset phase value are related to a preset output voltage provided by the power supply circuit, and the simulated output voltage is a simulation of the preset output voltage, provided by the power supply circuit, passed through the test circuit (S26).