High Voltage Power Supplies
Firmware and GUI v1.2 have been released. This version adds an important functionality: hvps-x can now generate custom high-voltage waveforms! See Firmware update for instructions on how to upgrade your hvps-x to this new firmware version. You’ll also need to grab the new version of the GUI from the Download page. The new functionalities of the user interface […]
A new PCBA version, version 1.4 has been released and documented on the website. This is the version we recommend to make. It includes 2 output current settings, a pad to connect the ground plane to earth ground for increased safety, and general routing improvements. We have also released a new 3D-printed protection enclosure for […]
Happy New Year 2024 everyone! At Peta-pico-Voltron, we start the year with a new minor release (version 1.1) that introduces some novelties: Support for 6kV hvps-x. We have know built and tested 6kV, 5kV, and 4kV, and the new release includes all the required values to configure/work with a 6kV hvps-x. This is probably the […]
We have performed measurements of the current transfer capabilities of the OPTO-150 optocoupler used as output stage of the hvpx-x. The current capability of the optocoupler determines how much current the power supply can deliver. The current output capability is a trade-off between safety and how fast the power supply can charge electrostatic actuators. The […]
It is time to release the beast: the first version of our new generation of high-voltage power supplies is now published on our website! You’ll find all the information to assemble your own power supply on the hvps-x section of the website. All components are available from the download page. Build instructions are already present […]
Merry Christmas and happy new year! Check back mid 2023 for the neXt generation of HVPS: hvps-x! We are looking forward to provide a better power supply on this website in the next few months.
Version 9.2 of the shvps firmware has been released. A bug that prevented using the open loop mode has been corrected. Open loop mode is used for automatic voltage calibration, so if you intend to use this functionality, please upgrade your shvps to firmware 9.2 You can get the new firmware on the Download page, […]
Here is a very nice application using a Peta-pico-Voltron HVPS to power electrostatic actuators: Electriflow, designed by Purnendu at University of Colorado Boulder, based on Christoph Keplinger’s HAZEL actuators. Link to article in Electronics Weekly: Electro-hydraulic actuator animates soft mini-robots by Steve Bush, 22.07.2021. Link to open-access conference proceeding. It’s always encouraging to see this […]
Ooops, took us a while to realise, but there was a bug in the shvps v9 firmware that can lock the unit in either DC or Off, with no possibility of generating switching or custom waveforms. This has been fixed in version 9.1 which is now included on the download page. It can be accessed […]
Although a preliminary version has been available on the website for some time, we are now officially releasing the version 9 of the software for Peta-pico-Voltron. The documentation, is being updated on the website, but here is a summary of the exciting new features: Python interface The python interface integrates a lot of new features […]