Evaluation kit simplifies converter application

The kit has been designed to make it easy for engineers to monitor, program and test the full range of BMR45x-series parts within a representative hardware and software environment.

The kit's software package features a graphical user interface that is easy to use and unlocks the power of the PMBus-programmable devices to make even complex applications easily approachable, according to the company.

The kit includes one each of the 396W BMR453 and 240W BMR454 intermediate bus converters, together with one 20A-rated BMR450 and one 40A-rated BMR451 point-of-load regulator.

A CD is provided that contains the 3E GUI Silver Edition software package, together with a library of technical papers and supporting information.

The kit's evaluation board embeds a USB-to-PMBus interface and accommodates one intermediate bus converter and up to three point-of-load regulators.

Designed to maximise ease of use, the board's heavy-duty input and output sockets ease high-current connections to bench power supplies and test loads.

Designers can power the point-of-load regulators, either from the onboard intermediate bus converter or from an external DC supply.

The software automatically scans the PMBus for connected devices at power on and continually updates and displays each converter's key operating parameters while the devices are running.

A graphic user interface allows users to enter new values for each converter's output voltage, and specify delay and ramp time values for sequencing power supplies in multi-rail applications.

It is also possible to define voltage margins to test the susceptibility of load circuitry to voltage variations.

Other facilities include the ability to set independent warning and fault threshold levels for each converter's input and output under- and over-voltages, output current and device temperature.

Designers can choose between latched and retry responses for each set of fault conditions.

A separate device-monitor window graphs each converter's key operating parameters against its fault and warning thresholds as it runs.

Save and load buttons allow users to save or load a converter's configuration at any time to a disk file, making it possible to record and restore setup information at the click of a button.