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Astral Driver - Boost, Buck, & Sepic

Astralist

Astralist

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@Paul: i will :beer:

@Jerry:
That kick seems to exist because of the startup of the ZXCT1010
but that kick is actually has a low slewrate.
it can be reduced by adding more output cap,
but a big output cap could become a big problem as well,
i.e it will be discharged to the LD with unregulated current, when the battery just disconnected.

I'll try to test it "live" with LD attached, it should give the same transient characteristic
 
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Astralist

Astralist

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Another test:

LV @max pot, 3.2 Vin using LiFePO4 26650 (ANR26650M1B from A123 System)
LV_Tr_max_pot_3.2_Vin.png


Pico @min pot, ~300mA @ 5.2 Vout, 3.968 Vin
Pico_min_pot_5.2_Vout_3.968_Vin.png


HV @max pot with pure resistive load, 8.1V Vin
HV_Tr_6_A.png


HV @2.5A, 8.1V Vin
HV_Tr_2.5_A.png


BONUS: SXD @2.5A, 8.1 Vin. Note that the X-axis are in milisecond
SXD.png
 
lasersbee

lasersbee

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At least someone making drivers is graphing
the startup response. I'd rather see this done
before I would get a surprise...:gj:

Jerry
 
Astralist

Astralist

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That's it Jerry!!

I've been wondering why some people just selling electronic stuff (especially drivers) without giving a proper technical spec, this should be mandatory IMO

I'm a bit more a researcher than a businessman, so i will state the technical things even if it makes less people buying my product.
I'm doing these for science, for now :D



EDIT:
more testing data of PicoDrive:

This is what happened if you try to power on a diode with threshold Vf below Vin, there will be about 100mA steady current before it goes to full power (current set).
A bit of cool safety mechanism eh? :D
Pico_min_pot_4.24_Vout_3.922_Vin.png
 
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CDBEAM777

CDBEAM777

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Hey.... ???? Is this a good thing ???....Especially the High Amp boost ????
Will the spike be an issue ??? Interesting the SDX has it too !!! :wtf: Not that these are still available !!!

Lazeerer was beamed up by Aliens ??? or...he is in the witness protection programe ???? Dunno ????? or...he went off the edge...of a Flat Earth ???? :thinking::thinking:

Anyway....It is appreciated that the Astralist shows all the details...but...the Ole' Bean Head shure cannot decipher the implications !

What is the verdict ?? Thanx,
CDBEAM
 

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Astralist

Astralist

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Actually I have something on my mind related to that, which need some discussion:

Suppose we have a diode which has:
  • Absolute max current (from datasheet) = 3.5A
  • Absolute dead current = 6A
  • Hobbyist always push this diode at 4.5A

my question is, which is more dangerous between these two against that laser diode? :D
  1. A spike at 1.5A
  2. "repeated spike" a.k.a pulsed/TTL operation at 5.5A

Red and violet for example, im sure they're operating in a pulsed operation as they needed to burn those DVD/BluRay disc using dinary data which has been modulated to pulse.
Also we have seen many driver accept TTL modulation for pulse operation

We've seen in some of the datasheet, one particular diode have max output power of 500mW CW
but while in a pulsed operation, you can double the current to get double output power (1000mW)

Still not sure if it's depends on the diode itself, slew rate of the startup/spike/pulse, or there might be something i don't know :D


EDIT:
OMG I just realized your attachment, his face is really LOL-able :crackup:

EDIT - 2:
Forgot to explicitly answer your question :yabbem:
Unfortunately, every driver which has ZXCT1010 or ZXCT1009 current sensor (or with the same configuration) most likely have this kick on startup.
it's because those current sensor needs about 2.5V to turn on, hence at the very beginning of the startup, the driver will kick a voltage to turn on the current sensor IC.
Luckily the Astral HV and LV (and also SXD) has a soft start to overcome this.
And i consider all drivers like this are "safe to use"

I'm quite surprised actually, it's just like the SXD has never been scoped before :wtf:
But yeah since the failure rate is low, people will ignore the transient response i guess :p
 
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CDBEAM777

CDBEAM777

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astralist said:
Actually I have something on my mind related to that, which need some discussion:

Suppose we have a diode which has:
  • Absolute max current (from datasheet) = 3.5A
  • Absolute dead current = 6A
  • Hobbyist always push this diode at 4.5A

my question is, which is more dangerous between these two against that laser diode? :D
  1. A spike at 1.5A
  2. "repeated spike" a.k.a pulsed/TTL operation at 5.5A

Red and violet for example, im sure they're operating in a pulsed operation as they needed to burn those DVD/BluRay disc using dinary data which has been modulated to pulse.
Also we have seen many driver accept TTL modulation for pulse operation

We've seen in some of the datasheet, one particular diode have max output power of 500mW CW
but while in a pulsed operation, you can double the current to get double output power (1000mW)

Still not sure if it's depends on the diode itself, slew rate of the startup/spike/pulse, or there might be something i don't know :D


EDIT:
OMG I just realized your attachment, his face is really LOL-able :crackup:

EDIT - 2:
Forgot to explicitly answer your question :yabbem:
Unfortunately, every driver which has ZXCT1010 or ZXCT1009 current sensor (or with the same configuration) most likely have this kick on startup.
it's because those current sensor needs about 2.5V to turn on, hence at the very beginning of the startup, the driver will kick a voltage to turn on the current sensor IC.
Luckily the Astral HV and LV (and also SXD) has a soft start to overcome this.
And i consider all drivers like this are "safe to use"

I'm quite surprised actually, it's just like the SXD has never been scoped before :wtf:
But yeah since the failure rate is low, people will ignore the transient response i guess :p
Click to expand...

First...I am pleased you find "Zoltar"...amusing !!! He is a classic !!
So....I am not qualified to answer your..." Which is more dangerous " question...If you are dealing with the Red C-Mount 5W....mmmm....Do not..." Break Wind " during the start up sequence...or...you may have toast !!
...and...with a 450 MM diode....just do not Klipkay into 110 VAC !!!

Because the " spike " is buried in the " Slow Start " time envelope....I imagine...it is of no consequence....SOooo...we will see !!!

As with any new driver offering....the test of time ...and multi-member use will really be the test !!! But....Your scope offerings are most appreciated !!

Anyway...a final thought....the driver stability...and how hard the diode is pushed is really a function of end use and diode cost.

In a projector application...the trend would be much more conservative. It would be very unfortunate if a R, or G ...or B took a dump during a show...Bad Press !!....especially if the venue is a public/ (with variance) show !

In a HH unit....well...we will likely have 1/500 of the LD "Power on time"...and if we have a failure...the ramifications are..." Oh Crap...I set the driver toooo high...and now...I gotta schlock in another diode....Crap "

Since I am a Projector person ( Non-professional )...and a HH person...well...I should have some insight !!! Maybe...Could Be...Who Knows !!!!:san::san::san:

Anyway...I am ready to try a few out !!

Later,
CDBEAM :D
 
Astralist

Astralist

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So I guess we really need to wait for another expert to step up here :D


BTW

New driver has been designed

ASTRAL OMNIDRIVE

  • Topology: Buck-boost (When operating, Vin can be above or lower than Vout/diode Vf)
  • Vin: 2.9 - 12V
  • Vout: 1.6 - 12V
  • Iout:
    • Buck mode (Vin = 8V, Vout = 7V): 3A
    • Boost mode (Vin = 4V, Vout = 7V): 1.5A
  • Size: 15*10mm
  • Features:
    • Current regulated
    • Adjustable current
    • Soft start
    • Delayed start (1.5sec+)
    • Thermal shutdown
    • PCB with 2oz (70um) copper, twice the copper thickness of usual PCB to maximize current and heat transfer.
    • Components mounted only on top side of PCB, allowing maximum contact from driver to heatsink, hence maximizing heat transfer from PCB to heatsink.
    • Thin PCB with lots of vias, maximizing heat transfer from top side to bottom side.
    • Component mounted and soldered using automated assembly machine, minimizing human error.
    • Floating output, both D+ and D- does not AND cannot be connected with V+ and V- respectively. Good for case neutral laser diode
 
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lasersbee

lasersbee

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astralist said:
That's it Jerry!!

I've been wondering why some people just selling electronic stuff (especially drivers) without giving a proper technical spec, this should be mandatory IMO
Click to expand...
Not all Driver developers and manufacturers of drivers
on LPF are certified Research Engineers. They may only
be tinkerers or hobbyists electronic technicians that
may not have the required Electronic equipment to do
those tests.

Drivers were starting to be developed here by LPF
members when the supplier of a certain popular
driver decided to ignore his customers and stopped
selling them. That filled a hole created by that seller.


Jerry
 
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Astralist

Astralist

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@Jerry:
You are right,
but creating something without the test equipment would be just like seeing a food recipe on the internet and decided to cook it and then sells it without even trying to taste it yourself, it could be too salty, too sweet, or too sour! :D
Well, maybe they taste it but never mentioned to anyone, fear that it will drove off the customer :whistle: Yep, marketing strategy.
I'm not a certified research engineer as well, but i'm quite happy if i give the full specification :whistle:


@Lifetime17:
I have another boost driver coming, small boost, designed for boosting those high Vf laser diode
Up to 1A :D
 
Lifetime17

Lifetime17

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Hi Ast,
Awesome we really need some boost in different ranges , they come in handy with one cell builds.I have about 4 X Boosts i been sitting on was scared to use them knowing that there might be no more available. But now there's light at the end of the tunnel. Cant wait to see them for sale. Keep up the great work.

Rich:)
 
Astralist

Astralist

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A bit of a news:

Driver on post #105 is currently being manufactured.
Theoretically, on paper :D, it could output from 75mA to 3000mA, but let see how good is the dynamic range in real life :D

It's a buck-boost topology with Vin can be anything between 2.9V to 12V
And Vout can be anything between 1.6V to 12V
I.e the input can be lower or higher than the output voltage, as a function of constant current


Meanwhile i'm currently designing a low cost boost driver with true constant current.
Capable of boosting from 2.7-4.2V to about 16V. FOR ONLY ~$15 (estimated)
 
nkgamer1990

nkgamer1990

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would like to see a boost driver with the following
-round form factor
-high amp output (at least 4 amp)
-hole in the middle
- v- input in around the outside perimeter for easy case neg connection.
 
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