Design of a micro-power control system for the RSVP Program

A micro-power control system has been developed for the RSVP program. RSVP is an acronym for Removal of Ship's personnel by Virtual Presence Program that involves replacing personnel by data-acquisition modules. Consisting of two ASICs and a re-configurable test board, the control system provides a regulated 3.3-volt supply as well as provides an optional 9-volt supply. It is capable of monitoring three input sources of scavenged power, then converting that power via a Buck converter into a useful regulator supply. In the case when no scavenge-able power is available, an on-board battery provides the regulator supply. In this first generation design, the digital control logic is implemented via a programmable logic device. The logic controls the monitoring of the input sources, operation of the converter, and control of the regulator. An off-chip clock oscillator provides a 32.786 kHz clocking frequency. Unique compared to most Buck converter systems is the control system. A system of comparators and digital logic maintain converter operation via a fixed duty cycle clock.