Shown above is a DC-DC Buck regulator designed for use in an adapter cable manufactured by a client. It accepts 12V on the input and provides 5V on the output at about 89% efficiency. The client sold about 4,500 cables incorporating this regulator.

One of the challenges in the design of a DC-DC regulator is reducing Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI). The location of C4 turned out to have a huge impact on the EMI. Like C12, it goes between Vin (highlighted below) and Ground. However, the size of C12 made little difference in the EMI produced. Being able to visualize the changes in current flow during regulator state changes was the key to finding the right location for C4.

A Buck Regulator Tester was also developed for this project.

Additional designs include:

• Li-Ion Battery Protection board
• Optical Probes for reading electric meters by utility meter readers
• Induction based probes for reading water meters
• Bed-of-Nails testers – software and hardware
• LED and DMX Controllers for museum and trade show exhibits