DIY uC-based variable programmable switching power supply design

[T3STY]

Nothing you can do will alter the power in >= power out balance, Watts are Watts.

Yeah, I thought of that right after I posted above... even using the switching modules directly from the main power supply, I could never go more than available.
dumb question: can I use a linear transformer with DC instead of AC? I could only find examples of transformers used in AC and I have not much knowledge about.

Also, do you have any good links about PSFB power supplies? I could understand the basic functioning from a few web pages, but I'd like to know more. However, at this point I'm more interested in using those simple buck converter modules since it requires less knowledge and sounds easier to put together.

[timb]

Running DC through a transformer will burn it up.

Think about it, it's just a coil of thin wire that runs from + to -; what happens when you short out a battery or other DC power source? The reason AC doesn't burn it up is because the polarity is constantly changing.

In a SMPS that uses a transformer instead of an inductor, they take AC in from the line, rectify it to HVDC and then use switching to turn it back into square-wave AC. After it goes through the transformer there will be either a diode or another switch to rectify it back to DC.


Sent from my Smartphone

[poorchava]

Microchips has a PICs that integrate peripheral module called PSMC (programmable switch mode controller). I've never used it but it seems like a good first shot.