HV Amplifier

TREK PA05039

High Voltage Power Amplifiers

The operation of the Macro Fiber Composites (MFC) or Stack actuators require high voltage power supplies or amplifiers (HVA), which are capable of driving a high capacitive load with up to 1500V. Driving capacitive loads at high voltage requires specialized electronic power supplies.

Smart Material has teamed up with leading high voltage manufacturers like TREK Inc., USA, Physical Instruments, Germany and AMPower Systems, USA to design and manufacture high voltage power supplies and amplifiers, customized for operating the MFC and multilayer stack actuators.

The current line of laboratory type amplifiers is allowing for rapid prototyping of MFC and stack actuator applications.

We will enhance the portfolio of HVAs with small , battery operated units during 2011 to accomodate the growing base of applications, which are using the MFC for structural deformation, i.e. flight control of UAVs.

So please check back often.

Please contact us, if the listed devices do not meet your requirements or if you need a special, customized version of a high voltage amplifier for the MFC or stack actuator.

Sensor Electronics for the MFC

A growing number of applications are using the MFC for sensing applications, utilizing the reverse piezo electric effect. Due to the anisotropic (directional) behavior of the P1 and P2 type MFCs, these components can operate as very sensitive strain gauges.

Another emerging application area is use of the MFC in SHM (Structural Health Monitoring) applications, which are using the MFC as transducer for guided waves, lamb waves and acoustice spectroscopy, as well as energy harvester.

SmartLogger Smart Material is developing in cooperation with electronic development partners special electronic circuits, which interface in an efficient way with the MFC for these sensor applications.

Ultrasound Electronics

Smart Material has developed a family of Power Pulsers which allow to drive high capacitive loads at ultrasound frequencies up to 100kHz. High frequencies and high capacitive loads multiply the power requirements for linear power supplies quickly into the kW areas and are often prohibitive in cost and size. Power supplies generating short burst offer a cost effective alternative, including a smaller form factor.

The Smart PowerSonic family of products was developed especially for air ultrasound applications, using either the MFC or the 1-3 Fiber Composites.

TREK High Voltage Power Amplifier, Model PA05039

Trek, Inc., a leading provider of high-voltage amplifiers is supplying a custom designed amplifier to meet the requirements of the Smart Material P1 type MFCs. The design of the custom amplifier is based on the renowned Trek amplifier technology. With an output voltage of -500V to +1500V and a maximal output current of 50mA the PA05039 is designed to drive several P1 type (d33 effect) MFCs.
The high voltage output is controlled through an amplifier input voltage of -2.5V to 7.5V DC or peak AC.

Specifications:

Voltage Output Range	-500 V to +1500V, Voltage amplification 200V/V (external voltage source), output noise less than 100mV RMS
Current Output Range	± 0 to 50mA peak AC
Bandwidth	large signal bandwidth (-3dB) DC to 10kHz low signal bandwidth (-3dB) DC to 30kHz
Slew Rate	greater than 50V/µs
External Voltage Control Input	BNC, 2.5VV... +7.5V DC or peak AC, 25kOhm
High Voltage Monitor Output	BNC, 1/200 of the High Voltage Output, output impedance less than 0.1 Ohm
Current Monitor Output	BNC, 0.2V/mA, output impedance less than 0.1 Ohm
Main Input	90V - 250V, 50/60Hz (factory set to 90V to 127V)
Compliance	EN61010-1, Œ

AMD2012-CE3A & B Dual Output Variable Controlled HV Power Supply for battery operation

The AMD2012-CE3 is a dual output power supply with one fixed 500 volt output, and one variable output from 0 volts to 2KV. This power supply is specifically designed for macro fiber composite (MFC) applications. Use of the bias supply allows a range of -500 volts to +1500 volts to be applied to the MFC. The AMD2012-CE3A has a direct analog interface and the AMD2012-CE3B has a PWM input voltage interface. Designed for battery operation it requires a DC supply voltage between 10 and 15V.

Specifications:

Voltage Output Range	Two high voltage power outputs - a variable supply from 0 volts to 2000 volts, - a fixed 500 volt supply, for bias
Current Output Range	4 watts of peak input power during charging. Charge time with 70 nF capacitance load is 0.1 sec max from 0V to 2000V (-500 to +1500V on the MFC).
Input Voltage	10 to 15 volts DC. Reverse polarity protected. Includes a self-resetting (thermal) fuse.
External Voltage Control Input	The control pin provides a linear function of input voltage to output voltage for the 2 kV power supply. The control pin operates over a 0 to 5 volt range for a 0 to 2000 volt output. An enable line will be provided to shut down all power supplies to save power consumption, and for safety.
Mechanical Dimensions	Mechanical dimensions are 2” x 3”. Height will not exceed 1 inch for the tallest components (located on one edge of the PCB). Components are mounted on both sides of the PCB. Note - High voltages are present on both sides of the PCB

Physical Instruments High Voltage Power Amplifier
Model MFC1500/50

Physical instruments is a specialty provider of high-voltage power supplies and amplifiers located in Berlin, Germany. The customized model MFC1500/50 is meeting the requirements for driving the P1 type MFCs.

With an output voltage of -500V to +1500V and a maximal output current of 60mA, AC the MFC1500/50 is designed to drive several P1 type (d33 effect) MFCs, including static driving setups.

The model family MFC1500 is also available as a multi channel version and can be customized to other output ranges.

Specifications:

Voltage Output Range	-500 V to +1500 V, SHV connector, 200 V/V for wave generator input, noninverting,
Current Output Range	0 to +/- 50 mA DC, 0 to 60mA peak AC
Bandwidth	large signal bandwidth (-3dB) DC to 10kHz
Slew Rate	greater than 50 V/μs
External Voltage Control Input	-2.5 V to +7.5 V corresponds to -500 V to +1500 V output, input impedance 100 kΩ, BNC coaxial connector
External Voltage Audio Control Input	0.2 V to 3 V AC, Input Resistance 100 kΩ Gain Control Range -12 db to +12db, by using a 10-turn potentiometer, Offset Control Range -500 V to +1500 V, by using a 10-turn potentiometer, Signal Frequency Range 10 Hz to 10 kHz Connector BNC coaxial connector
High Voltage Monitor Output	BNC, 1/200 of the High Voltage Output, output impedance 1kOhm
Current Monitor Output	BNC, 0.2V/mA, output impedance 1kOhm
Main Input	115/230VAC, 50/60 Hz, 150VA
Compliance	Œ, EN 50081-1; EN 50082 or EN50081-2; EN 50082-2

SmartLogger, dynamic event storage system for the MFC

Equipped with 4 independent analog input channels (high impedance voltage
preamps) this module can be used to monitor dynamic events using the
MFC as sensor. Events in the millisecond range can be monitored and stored up to several hours. All parameters for the SMART Logger can be programmed via the onboard USB, which also performs the readout of the monitored events after retrieval. A small package size allows the use in many industrial settings. Included software allows for displaying the input signals and save the data as CSV-file.

Specifications:

Input channels	4 analog, 12bit ADC
Gain	1-100 programmable
Event Memory	flash memory, 2 MByte
Interface	USB 2.0
Power Supply	CR2032 battery during monitoring, USB if connected to computer
Software	Kongsgraf V2.1 with .csv export
Suitable Sensors	P1 and P2 type MFC, monolithic piezo ceramic

SmartCharge, Store&Hold charge amplifier for the MFC

The measurement of static or low frequency deformations using piezoelectric strain gauges is an engineering challenge. A piezo electric strain gauge is generating a charge proportional to the strain. This charge will dissipate in a relatively short period of time due to the finite input impedance of many of the used data acquisition circuits . Strain events < 1Hz were normally very difficult to measure reliable with piezo electric devices.
Smart Material has revisited this problem with a new approach: The Store&Hold technique which transfers the generated charge to a high-end, leakage free capacitor, while the charge proportional voltage across the capacitance can be measured using a load-free, specially designed high impedance operational amplifier. This guarantees constant output signals over up to 3 minutes without any significant drift.

Specifications:

Input channel	one, optimized for MFC M2503P2 and M8503P2
Gain	1-100, selectable with onboard dip switches
Output	± 5V analog
Power Supply	9V battery or 4-10V external source
Size	60mm by 15mm printed circuit board

Smart PowerSonic, Model 280PW

The PowerSonic model 280PW enables customers to drive , ultrasonic transducers or similar piezo electric devices with high capacitive loads.

The µC controlled model 280PW generates square pulses with voltages of up

± 280V and frequencies of up to 100 KHz.
Typical parameters like frequency, pulse number, refresh rate, uni-/bipolar
operation mode, shut down time can be programmed via the RS 232 serial interface.

Specifications:

Frequency range	0 up to 100kHz
Cycles	< 100 cycles per burst
Refresh rate	1 up to 100 per sec
Output Voltage max.	± 280V
Output modes	unipolar and bipolar
Memory	8 banks
Controls	Trigger-in, Trigger-out
Data interface	RS 232, serial