All measurements are performed using four fully equipped Chroma stations (three additional ones are in reserve because we currently lack the space to develop them). All can deliver more than 4 kW of load and consist of two 63601-5 and one 63600-2 mainframe each. Each of the mainframes mentioned above hosts ten 63640-80-80 [400 W] electronic loads along with two 63610-80-20 [100 W x2] modules. We have another Chroma station, which is currently held as a backup. It can deliver up to 2500 W of load and consists of wo 6314A mainframes equipped with the following electronic loads: six 63123A [350 W each], one 63102A [100 W x2], and one 63101A [200 W].
The scopes used in the Chroma ATE systems are Siglent, Rigol, and Picoscope. We also use Fluke, Keysight, and Keithley multimeters. Finally, our power analyzers are N4L and Rohde & Schwarz.
We use five Chroma 6530 AC sources, each capable of delivering up to 3 kW of power, a Chroma 61604 (for backup) with a 2 kW max capacity, and two Keysight AC6804B with 4 kW max power. We also have five powerful APM AC sources with 4 kW max power. All AC sources are connected to the mains network through powerful isolation transformers. Finally, we protect the AC sources with CyberPower OLS3000E online UPS devices.
Our electronic loads collection includes a dozen for single rail loads, two Fast Auto FA-828ATE, and a powerful Sunmoon, which we use for PSU pre-testing before they go to the Chroma ATE systems.
The noise measurements are conducted with a Class 1 Bruel & Kjaer 2270 G4 Sound Analyzer, equipped with a type 4955-A low-noise and free-field microphone, which can measure down to 5 dB(A) (we also have a type 4189 microphone that features a 16.6-140 dBA-weighted dynamic range). The sound analyzer is installed into a hemi-anechoic chamber, allowing ambient noise lower than 6 dB(A). A Bruel & Kjaer Type 4231 is used before every noise measurement to calibrate the sound analyzer. Finally, we also have a Class 1 Bruel & Kjaer 2250-L G4 Sound Analyzer at our disposal.
We can conduct electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) evaluations since our lab has three spectrum analyzers with EMI options. We also use a Tekbox TBLC08 LISN to isolate the power mains from the device in this test (DUT). Our second Spectrum Analyzer is a Signal Hound BB60C. To identify the EMI source should the need arise, we have a set of Tekbox EMC probes (TBPS01) and a TBWA2 wide-band amplifier at our disposal.
We conduct all of our tests at above 30 °C ambient to more accurately simulate the environment inside a typical system. For this purpose, we use a custom-made chamber equipped with heating elements that are controlled through software and can set the desired temperature automatically inside the chamber.
What provides us with an edge over all the rest of the labs is the custom-made software used for controlling all of our equipment, from the electronic loads and the power analyzer to the temperature logger and the electromagnetic relays that control the heat inside the thermal chamber. The development process of this piece of software never stops since we continuously enrich it with new features. The first version of the Faganas ATE software was released in early 2010. With over 25,000 lines of code, excluding the libraries, the Faganas ATE test suite allows us to test a PSU in any way we want, providing increased usability and high accuracy in the test results, thanks to the sophisticated algorithms and routines that handle the data outputs of all of our equipment.
