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The power supply design process is an extremely difficult task, from understanding complex circuits to seeking help from chip distributors, nothing is easy. This article will tell you how to use existing tools to quickly design your own power supply without turning to chip manufacturers for help - or asking anyone for help. With some existing software and hardware tools, completing this challenging task is no longer as difficult as it used to be. Your power supply circuit design is now in your hands.

For example, let’s start by designing a step-down DC/DC circuit. A typical example of this circuit is the TPS54331, which is an Eco-mode™ 3A, 28V input, step-down Swift™ DC/DC converter. This converter is a 28-V, 3-A non-synchronous buck converter with an integrated low RDS(on) high-side MOSFET. To improve efficiency at light loads, the pulse skipping power saving mode function is automatically enabled. The resistor divider sets the input undervoltage protection hysteresis.

The manufacturer provides extensive technical support for this product. The TPS54331 [1] data sheet provides device information such as typical device characteristics, detailed product descriptions, and circuit design guidelines. In addition to the detailed product data sheet, an evaluation module [2] is also available. This module provides you with a hardware platform (Figure 1) that allows you to measure and modify your circuit (Figure 2) during the final circuit design stage.

Figure 1. TPS54331 evaluation board layout

Figure 2 TSP54331 evaluation board layout

However, before you finalize your DC/DC converter circuit, you may want to consider a tool like TI’s SwitcherPro™ software. Your distributor can tell you where to get this software [3]. Available in both online and desktop versions, SwitcherPro Power Design Software enables you to design power supplies using TI products. With SwitcherPro Power Design Software, you can leverage EVM reference designs as a starting point for your custom power supply design. The desktop application gives you more flexibility in power supply design because it does not require an internet connection. Now you can start designing your power supply at your own pace!

The SwitcherPro software provides you with schematics and layout suggestions for your power supply design. Once you run the software, you will notice the EVM design options on the left side of the window. For example, you will find the TPS54331 EVM in the list given. Figure 3 shows the SwitcherPro layout suggestions for the TPS54331 DC/DC converter. The layouts shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3 have been tested and verified.

Figure 1. TPS54331 layout given by SwitcherPro software

The SwitcherPro tool also gives you the opportunity to modify the circuit requirements, even the components in the schematic. This can be done by duplicating the EVM design and then selecting the Edit Circuit option. This allows you to modify the DC/DC converter input minimum and maximum values, as well as the output voltage and current requirements. The software also features general analysis, stress analysis, efficiency analysis, and loop analysis to help you evaluate your circuit.

To complete your design, you need to return to your evaluation module, modify the values as suggested by SwitcherPro, and then test and verify your new circuit. Finally, if you are working online, you can easily share your design with others.

Figure 2 TSP54331 circuit given by SwitcherPro software

You can now say, "I could do this power supply design myself!" Indeed, your distributor will tell you how to get the right software tools. This way, your power supply design is under your control.

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How to Master Power Supply Design

The power supply design process is a difficult task, from understanding complex circuits to seeking help from chip vendors, nothing is easy. This article will tell you how to quickly design your own power supply using existing tools, without the need to turn to chip manufacturers for help—or ask anyone for advic

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