Evaluation kit makes it easier to digitalize power supplies

Würth Elektronik and Infineon Technologies have launched the jointly developed 'XMC Digital Power Explorer' evaluation kit. The synchronous step-down converter, which can be assembled with two different control cards (XMC1300 - ARM Cortex-M0 MCU and XMC4200 - ARM Cortex-M4F MCU), makes it easier for developers of analog power supplies and embedded software programmers to enter the world of digital power supply. The XMC Digital Power Explorer Kit is a complete solution with hardware, software and switchable resistance load bank. Two performance classes - Developers can compare two performance classes using two different control cards. The high-performance XMC4200 family offers a high-resolution PWM unit (with 150ps resolution) and intelligent analog comparators with precise slope compensation that can considerably simplify power supply design. The XMC1300 family, on the other hand, is cost-optimized to provide excellent cost effectiveness for simpler power supply applications. Ivan Dobes, product marketing manager for XMC microcontrollers, Infineon Technologies, said: "Infineon is the worldwide leading manufacturer of power electronics. We still see a lot of growth potential in digital current control using standard microcontrollers. Our XMC microcontrollers have just the features you need to address this market. The XMC Digital Power Explorer Kit will help position us as an important player in the area of digital power and offer our customers complete system solutions.“ Alexander Gerfer, CTO, Würth Elektronik eiSos, added: "The digital control segment is growing. We're happy to be supporting this market with our new Digital Power Explorer Kit. For this kit we chose passive components from our company that ensure the greatest efficiency when combined with the Infineon XMC controllers. The Explorer Kit will help developers of analog power supplies and electronic design engineers increase their learning curve in this relatively new area."