PI Expert Suite takes a designer’s power supply specifications and automatically determines the critical components needed to generate an energy-efficient power supply. The highly intuitive graphical interface includes interactive circuit schematics and a design wizard that guides the user to the best circuit topology. Interactive design forms aid the user in configuring the advanced power supply features built into Power Integrations ICs, such as over- and under-voltage protection, thermal shutdown and external current limits.

Among the new features included in PI Expert Suite 6.1 is PI Transformer Designer, a unique tool that produces detailed transformer specifications for power supply designs. The tool shortens one of the most time-consuming steps in power supply design, cutting hours or even days out of the design cycle. PI Transformer Designer generates step-by-step winding instructions and detailed materials requirements, greatly simplifying the task of making prototypes or requesting samples from transformer vendors. The tool supports multi-filar windings, foil windings and AC-stacked transformers, and provides guidance on the use of low-cost shield windings to reduce electromagnetic interference.

“The new PI Expert promises to help overcome many of the challenges involved in power supply design by providing a complete, easy-to-follow recipe for transformer construction,” stated Mr. Vallam Venkatesh, Director (R&D) at Hical Magnetics, a prominent supplier of transformers for switched-mode power supplies. “With the comprehensive construction details provided by PI Transformer Designer, we can easily build samples that meet a designer’s circuit requirements quickly and accurately.”

“Transformer design is typically the most difficult and time-consuming part of a power supply designer’s job,” observed Larry Ye, President of Synergistic Technology Solutions, a U.S.-based power solutions company. “This new software from Power Integrations should greatly improve our design productivity and allow us to better leverage our resources. The industry has been waiting for something like this for quite awhile.”

The PI Expert CD-ROM contains the complete suite of design software in addition to the full library of Power Integrations data sheets and reference designs. The software is offered free of charge and is available through the company’s network of worldwide distributors.