A Power Supply is any electrical device that supplies power to a load. They convert power from one form to another – transforming voltage, current, frequency – and can be standalone devices or a circuit integrated into a device.
Design Considerations
Inputs
- DC or AC
- Voltage
- Frequency
Characteristics
- Cost
- Size
- Complexity
- Robustness
- Standards Requirements
Outputs
- Power
- Heat (Efficiency)
- Number of Outputs
- Polarity
- Isolation
- Regulation
- Noise
Types of Power Supplies
- Passive Supplies
- Linear Supplies
- Switching Supplies
| Topology | Efficiency | Cost | Complexity | Size | Regulation |
| Resistor Divider | Low | $ | Minimum | Small | None |
| Transformer | Med | $$$$$ | Minimum | Largest | None |
| Resistor-Zener | Low | S | Minimum | Small | Fair |
| Linear Regulator | Low | $$ | Minimum | Small to Medium | Fair |
| Buck | High | $$$ | Mild | Medium to Large | Good |
| Boost | High | $$$ | Mild | Medium to Large | Good |
| Flyback | Med | $$$$ | Most | Large | Good |
Basic ideas:
Boost Voltage
Lower Voltage
Regulation
Conversion