High Power Buck Voltage Regulator: Custom Eval Boards #1

High Power Buck Voltage Regulator: Custom Eval Boards #1
This is the first video in a new series where I take a neat or unique IC and design and build a custom PCB around. This one focuses on a SiC45x buck converter that can source up to 15A at nearly 90% efficiency.
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MicroType Engineering is a full service electronics and mechanical product design firm. We offer turnkey support no matter how far along in the design process you are. We have full schematic capture, PCB design, firmware, mechanical design, and prototype/small-batch assembly services. Please reach out to learn more! microtype.io/

[@kristopherbutler4879]

That table looks industrial strong!!

[@LordPhobos6502]

I can see why you would be so excited about this chip... that feture set is ridiculously good. I made an arduino-controlled variable voltage power supply a while back. TBH it has a heap of design issues which I managed to hide with code, but they're all there, lurking. I am *EXTREMELY* interested in a few eval boards, and tbh I may be after a few more if testing goes well - that level of microSMD soldering is beyond my capabilities as a home hobbyist 👍 Very nice work, and FANTASTIC video! 😁❤❤❤

[@KidCe.]

I love this format, this is so informative and interesting to watch. Really gotta take a look at these PMBus ICs, sounds like a great component for a variety of projects

[@a1nelson]

A new side hustle emerges: buck converter IC sales. I’m sold. :) Seems like an interesting part. I’m not sure I have need for the resulting board, but it certainly looks to be nicely done. Thanks.

[@10e999]

Nice video. I always like,your in depth content. On a side note, that's an interesting series concept. I could see this take off.

[@MicroTypeEngineering]

Hey thanks! Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@10e999]

@@MicroTypeEngineering No problem. Keep it up! Your channel is a gold mine :)

[@brianbuchanan5170]

I’m glad that I found your channel.

[@electromatic2014]

Man, you killed it with this video,got no Words. Ill check the library out and see if I can contribute to it. Keep up the good work!

[@justin.campbell]

Just found this channel! Great video, really easy to understand. This is a really good thing to know how to do because often commercial eval boards are not available or hard to find. Please make more of these videos! edit: One point I would like to mention is that in my opinion, eval boards do not need to be super small. I actually think it can help to make it bigger because you can add equally spaced mounting holes and you get more space for silkscreen to put info on. Of course, this all depends on the company you are having it made at and your design.

[@Janamejaya.Channegowda]

Thank you for sharing.

[@melplishka5978]

Nice unit well done.

[@iantcroft]

Great evaluation! Please evaluate some wireless communication and position monitoring ICs, GPS, gsm etc. Keep up the great work and videos!

[@ivolol]

You asked about other chips, talking about / demonstrating any practical tips you know for implementing ADCs and/or DACs would be cool

[@rick_er2481]

Thankyou for sharing, great videos i'm learning a lot ! Suggestion: trailing edge dimmer circuit? To control with uC.

[@peterhill9360]

Careful tying SDA/SCL together like that when no pull-up is desired. This effectively puts a 20K link between SDA/SCL which injects noise into the data line.

[@randomname3894]

And then, one night - my amateur nerd knowledge was helpful:)

[@yellowcrescent]

Was just searching for a higher-power LDO or buck regulator recently, this looks really nice. I have some LT3081 & LT3091s in my mouser cart right now, but they are more expensive than this chip (granted, they are a different type of regulator and package). I wonder if the SIC45x can be made to regulate negative voltages, but still provide positive control voltages on its outputs.. hmm

[@Wilksey37]

What did you use to reflow the solder? Is it one of those hot plates? If so what temperature did you set it at, did you increase over time or just set it to temp and leave it? Cheers

[@damny0utoobe]

You want a smd reflow temperature controller with a thermocouple. That way, you can follow a profile. The temperature and profile you want to use is from the manufacturer of the paste.

[@Wilksey37]

@@damny0utoobe I have a reflow oven but it looked like he was using a hot plate.

[@MicroTypeEngineering]

Yeah, it's a custom hot plate. I let it start preheating, then put the board on. Going to do a video and some livestreams about it soon.

[@dianeattaway8733]

I wish that chip could directly go to 60V input for my 48V off grid solar system

[@carlosgarcialalicata]

What is the best wire-to-pcb connectors you have used? I suck at crimping

[@miolini]

Can you make 100W bidirectional DC DC boost converter from 7-60Vdc to 100-500Vdc which can be controlled by I2C using GAN fets?

[@WagonLoads]

How would this buck converter work as a esp controlled bench power supply?

[@MrSuperBrite]

How difficult would it be to do signal light tower that gets power and different light from 24V 4-20 mA current signal? Something like red 17-20, yellow 14-17 and green 11-14 mA?

[@WagonLoads]

Question: Does an esp have the ability to time the width of a (10Hz or 1Hz PWM) to a resolution of 1uS increments? I am looking for two parts that I don't know if they exist. A comparator with a 1 million step resolution and an optional 6 digit counter with 1 MHz input, a count enable, reset, and a i2c output (that can do equivalent of: count, latch, read value, clear)

[@lukasmetz2419]

where did you get the footprints for the sic45x? i was searching quite a bit but couldnt find any information about it.

[@samk2630]

What T of solder paste did you use?

[@DannyBokma]

Nice series! And nice find for this chip, what a freedom with all those digital I2C influences, never seen a chip like this. I am starting to play with the LM5170 and hopefully extend it to be quad phase with an external voltage control loop.

[@KidCe.]

Just took a look at the LM5170 Datasheet, looks very interesting. I've been searching for a bidirectional switching controller for charging lion battery from a voltage bus and also power the bus from the battery. This ic might be a good candidate for that

[@danielsprenger8951]

Nice board! What's the thickness of the PCB?

[@MicroTypeEngineering]

Thanks! Standard 1.6mm