Project 21: Open Source Automatic Magnetic Core Tester

Project Pitch Poster

Sponsor: FREEDM Systems Center

Mentor(s):

Richard 'Byron' Beddingfield rbbeddin@ncsu.edu

Project Background and Need:

We have a lab-built instrument for measuring magnetic core loss. Making measurements is both time-consuming and requires specialist knowledge to set up. There can a be large differences in core loss measurements reported from different sources due to differences in hardware and methods.

Problem Description/requirements (List of high-level functionality you expect to see in the end product):

We propose to add ease-of-use elements and release the project as a open-source hardware+software project to provide a common framework for magnetics measurements. The high level deliverables are:

i. Create a GUI interface for the instrument enabling automatic measurement of many data points and operation by a non-expert user.

ii. Design/source a programmable power converter (~200W) to supply a GUI-programmed test voltage.

iii. Select a low-cost DAQ system, probably a USB oscilloscope. Integrate the scope and DC-DC converter with the GUI as a standalone system.

Required Skills / Desired Competencies (in order of importance):

• Power electronics and systems

• Embedded programming

• Python programming

• Analog circuit design

How often and how would you be available to meet/chat with the team (Zoom, Hangout, Skype, Phone)?

Weekly meetings.

Will the students be required to sign any of the following before they start with the project? NDA / CDA / IP assignment / IP protection form

No.