Hi All,
Forgive me if I am posting to a wrong forum. Moderators please move if required.
I need to figure out a low cost DIY solution for soft ferrite power loss testing. Below is what I have in mind:
- A toaster converted into a temperature controlled oven - I don't know what will be the max temp possible -- with thermocouple connected to the Raspberry Pi via ADC
- A Function Generator using Raspberry Pi+DDS Chip
- A Linear Power Amplifier with about 300 watts output power upto 500Khz
- VAW measurement via True RMS High Frequency Current and Voltage Transducer -> I2C for Raspberry Pi-( Yet to Figure Out )
I am clueless on the Linear power amp. Input will be a single frequency at a time, sweeping from low to high. However the load is completely inductive. Class-A with a tracking DC-DC (sort'a not envelope tracking, since input magnitude is fixed) converter to keep efficiency High (read Thermal Loss Low) is what I was pondering upon. But then I am not experienced in this subject. I am also concerned about VSWR protection for the amplifier output.
I can handle the programming jobs but I need reference for the amplifier part.
So my questions for the amplifier are:
- Homebrew 10KHz to 500KHz, 200 - 300 watts possible ? Being only experienced in embedded system and power electronics am I inviting nightmares ?
- Any circuit references ? Can I use Audio amplifier class AB as a starting point. Do I risk oscillating tweaking the compensation.
- Can a Power OP-AMP like the OPA549 be used at all with some boosting or paralleling ? Since the load and the input signal is constant once setup for each measurement cycle and the OP-AMP supports current programming, can I use a MSP430 to sense and balance currents between parallel units actively
- If yes with a GBW of 0.9MHz would it handle 500KHz LINEARLY ? What about the very low impedance inductive load.
Consider me a newbie on amplifiers and ambitious too.
For the entire project and specifically the amplifier please comment, suggest, criticize scare, and enlighten me.
Regards
Sougata
P.S.: For those who are pondering why I am upto this: I will lose $200 on bet if I don't do this and risk losing 10 times if I try and fail.