Close

Debug current/voltage measurement

A project log for PocketPD - USB-C Portable Bench Power Supply

Leveraging the Programmable Power Supply (PPS) of USB PD 3.0 and 3.1 to make an ultra-compact bench power supply

centylabCentyLab 02/27/2024 at 04:580 Comments

The prototype version of PocketPD utilizes a sense resistor of 10mOhm to measure the current reading of the load. Here is the configuration for V.Prototype:

The power goes directly from USB-C VBUS, and passes through the sense resistor, thru the PMOS output switch to the banana jack terminals.

Issue: VBUS reading is higher than VOUT, more than expected. There must be more voltage drop somewhere.

Current (A)VBUS voltage (V)Vdrop across PMOS (V)Calculated Ron
0.403.300.02768mOhm
1.008.140.06868mOhm
1.8015.00.12668mOhm

It was a bit surprising that Ron is consistent across multiple input voltages as Vgs and Ron are dependent on each other. Further investigation is needed

Conclusion: The resistance of PMOS (68mOhm) is higher than expected (18mOhm) which causes the discrepancy between the OLED measured and the Banana jack output. 

Solution:

But !... The current reading is now calibrated. We are getting the correct amperage report through the Rsense resistor!

Discussions