System and method for power supply testing

A method of verifying a component coupled to a power supply, the method comprising:

• measuring a frequency response from a control input of the power supply to an output of the power supply;
• comparing the frequency response to a predetermined metric based on the measuring;
• and
• based on the comparing, determining that the component is valid and that the component is effectively coupled to the power supply if the frequency response falls within the predetermined metric, wherein the component comprises a capacitor, and the frequency response is dependent on a value of the capacitor and is dependent on whether the capacitor is effectively coupled to the output of the power supply.

A power converter integrated circuit (IC) configured to be coupled to a power supply system, the IC comprising:

• a switch controller configured to be coupled to a switch;
• a summing block comprising an output coupled to an input of the switch controller;
• a reference input coupled to a first input of the summing block, the reference input configured to be coupled to a first output of the power supply system;
• a signal generator coupled to a second input of the summing block, wherein the signal generator is configured to output a plurality of frequencies;
• and
• a measurement block configured to measure amplitudes at a second output of the power supply system over the plurality of frequencies;
• and
• a comparison block coupled to the measurement block, the comparison block comprising an output signal indicating whether the amplitudes at the second output of the power supply system are within a range of expected amplitudes.

A power supply system comprising:

• a power converter comprising a regulated output and a control input;
• a summing block comprising
• an output coupled to the control input,
• a first input coupled to the regulated output, and
• a second input;
• a signal generator comprising an output coupled to the second input of the summing block, the signal generator configured to output a plurality of frequencies;
• a series resistance comprising a first node coupled to the regulated output;
• a load capacitor coupled between a second node of the series resistance and a reference voltage;
• a measurement block coupled to the load capacitor at the second node of the series resistance, the measurement block configured to
• measure an amplitude of each of the plurality of frequencies,
• determine whether the amplitude of each of the plurality of frequencies fall within a predetermined range of amplitudes;
• and
• provide a status signal indicating whether the load capacitor comprises a value within a nominal range of load capacitor values and is properly installed within the power supply system.

A device, comprising:

• a measurement block configured to:
• measure a frequency response from a control input of a switched mode power supply to an output of the switched mode power supply;
• compare the frequency response to a predetermined metric based on the measuring;
• and
• determine that a component is valid and that the component is effectively coupled to the switched mode power supply if the frequency response falls within the predetermined metric.