[time-nuts] Low noise power supplies?

Tom Van Baak tvb at LeapSecond.com
Thu Jan 31 14:43:23 UTC 2013


Hi Rick,

I'll answer the question with anther question -- how does one properly measure power supply noise? Does it boil down to a single number, a couple of key numbers, or is it a plot, or several plots?

I ask because without some sort of standard test and reporting method it just becomes a word game. Like, "use batteries because they are better";  "use my design because it is quiet"; "this has lower noise than that". RMS AC ripple or nV/rtHz sounds like a good start, but I'm wondering if there's something more complete.

I was never quite satisfied with the outcome of comparing a half dozen power supplies this way:
http://www.leapsecond.com/pages/tbolt/noise.htm

We have rigorous ways to compare and report oscillator performance; both as numbers and as plots. Is there something equivalent for power supplies?

Thanks,
/tvb

> I know this topic has been discussed in the past on the list, but
> a colleague is asking if there are any off the shelf low
> noise power supplies for testing oscillators.  Something
> a cut above an HP "brick" lab power supply etc.  They are hoping
> to avoid having to homebrew a power conditioning circuit.
> Did we ever arrive at a concensus as to the state of the art
> in homebrew power conditioning circuits?
> 
> Any help would be appreciated.
> 
> Rick Karlquist N6RK





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