ECE 581 Fall 2016

Introducing the UTK Tiny Box Challenge

A coursework competition to build a (very) small DC/DC converter

Deadlines

• October 3^rd - Competition Begins
• October 17^th - Paper Design Comparison Report Due
• October 24^th - Final Paper Design Report Due
• November 2^nd - PCB Layout Due Must pass Manufacturer DFM/AFV check as detailed in competition requirements
• November 23^rd - Testing Report Due
• Example Testing Report
• December 7^th - Final Design Report Due

Full Competition Requirements

What the Converter Needs to Do

The winning inverter will be the one that achieves the highest power density and meeting a list of other specifications

In brief, the other specifications are

• Must operate up to 60W output power
• Will take in 60Vdc power in series with a 10 ohm resistor
• Must output 12 +/- 1 Vdc
• Must achieve a power density greater than 10 W/in³
• Must operate with no load with less than 3W of loss
• Must achieve an efficiency greater than 90% (TPE MEthod)
• Must have and input current ripple less than 5%
• Must have and output voltage ripple less than 2%

Additional Resources

PCB Layout

• Altium Starter Project Files
• Additional Information on PCB Layout
• Example Parts Order Spreadsheet

Interface Board and FPGA Code

• Instructions on FPGA coding and Interface Board population

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