We are excited to introduce hvps-x, the new generation of computer-controlled DYI high voltage power supplies for research and development.
All you need to know to assemble and use hvps-x:
- Hardware: Shematic, assembly and testing procedures
- Software: GUI and Python library
- Download: PCB fabrication files, GUI, etc.
Buy hvps-x
We can assemble a hvps-x for you. This helps support the project and future development. Check the buy hvps-x page.
Datasheet
Here is the preliminary datasheet of hvps-x high voltage power supplies
hvps-x high voltage power supply concept
hvps-x consists of 4 main components which are described on this website
- The hardware: It consists of a PCB (printed circuit board) and a BOM (bill of material). The hardware section of the website provides the schematic of the circuit (which you are free to adapt and modify), and detailed assembly and testing instructions. We also provide the Gerber files of the PCB, so that you can order it from a PCB fabrication house.
- The firmware: It controls the hardware and handles the commands received from the GUI. It runs on a STM32l083CzT6 microcontroller. This microcontroller can be programmed via USB, and therefore doesn’t require programming hardware.
- The GUI: It provides convenient access to all of the hvps-x functionalities. The interface is written in Python for cross-platform compatibility. We also provide a compiled version for Windows. The GUI is open-source so you can modify and tailor it to you needs.
- The library of functions: It acts as interface between the firmware and the GUI. In most cases, it will work in the background and you don’t need to worry about it. However, it provides easy access to all of the hvps-x’s firmware capabilities and makes it very easy to write your own applications, for example integrating an hvps-x to an automated testing bench.
Improvements compared to the previous generation of high voltage power supplies
The previous single channel high voltage power supply (SHVPS) was introduced on this website in 2016. More information on this page.
- All components, including the optocouplers, can be bought from Digikey. No need to struggle getting the OC100G anymore.
- Slightly higher output current (150 uA according to the optocoupler specifications).
- EMCO HV DC/DC converter changed to the series G: more power and cheaper than the series A used on the SHVPS, which contributes to decreasing the cost of the board. The series G is larger, though, leading to a larger board compared to the SHVPS.
- Arduino replaced with a STM32 microcontroller. Reduced cost and better performance.
- Voltage reading with 12 bit resolution (4 times the resolution of SHVPS)
- Output voltage setting resolution: 10 bits
- Voltage reading at the output of the DC/DC converter (as for SHVPS) and at the output of the optocoupler, thus enabling the monitoring of the voltage at the output of the board.
Available Output Voltages
hvps-x is based on the EMCO Series G DC/DC converter. We have assembled 6kV, 5kV, and 4kV units, but any of the EMCO series G can be used. However, due to the current limit of the optocouplers, it wouldn’t make much sense to use the hvps-x topology for voltages below 2kV.
Features of the initial release of the high voltage power supply
These features are available.
- DC output of user-controlled voltage
- Value of the output voltage set in open-loop mode or closed-loop regulated mode
- Switching mode (square-like signal with the output turned on and off at a user-settable frequency)
- Setting the duty cycle of the output waveform in switching mode (*)
- Button control (Manual control of the output (on/off) with an onboard button)
- Output voltage reading after the optocoupler stage (effective output voltage reading) (*)
- Saving operational parameters in the device’s memory for standalone operation on power-on.
- Live graph-like monitoring of the output voltage.
(*) New capabilities compared to SHVPS
Upcoming features
These features will be available via firmware update a few months after the initial release, without any required hardware modifications
- Output waveform profile. This will be one of the main advantages of the hvps-x compared to SHVPS: the ability of measuring the voltage past the optocoupler, and the fast ADC reading provided by the STM32 microcontroller will enable closed-loop control of the output voltage waveform and will make it possible to generate time-dependent wave-forms with the hvps-x that will be far better than what is currently possible with the SHVPS.