Computer aided techniques for measuring performances of switching DC/DC regulators

A practicable technique for measuring the dynamic performances of switching regulators in a testing laboratory is presented. The method is based upon the use of a mini computer for acquisition and further off-line processing of a suitably chosen perturbed signal. The selected signal is the closed loop transient response, to a step input in the load current or in the reference voltage. The processing is done after digital filtering according to Samulon´s algorithm. The technique yields accurate amplitude and phase measurement of closed and open loop transmittance, output impedance ...etc..., without opening the control loop and in one shot.