Question about raspberry pi - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: ankurb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2023, 02:27:36 pm
content: Hi there,I recently formed a small company and had a quick question. I need to sweep voltage from 0 to 12V (or maybe 15V) and this would be input for an EMCO G or E series DC-DC converter probably around 3-7kV. Does anyone know if this is doable with a raspberry pi? The real issue is I need the weight to be under 100 grams for this portion of the circuit!If anyone could let me know that would be great and would also be open to hiring someone build if doable.Thank you very much!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 14, 2023, 02:37:58 pm
content: It can control external circuit that will do the thing. The only reason to involve raspberry Pi is if you need it to be controlled by computer.

author: ankurb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2023, 02:44:56 pm
content: Thanks. Yes I would like to control by computer if necessary.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2023, 07:59:39 pm
content: You need to define what, exactly, are you expecting the Pi to do. It can easily do PWM but generating a solid DC voltage may be a bigger problem.

author: Manul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2023, 09:16:36 pm
content: It's not very clear what exactly the purpose is, but Raspberry Pi seems like much too much. Would be more logical to take a simple MCU board which generates either PWM or has a DAC. Then filter and feed that to high output current Op Amp stage as scaller / buffer. PC control can be easily implemented through serial port.

author: ankurb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2023, 11:02:56 pm
content: Thanks for the replies. I will need to record the voltage wirelessly and cannot directly connect to a PC. Currently thinking to buy those cheap LED dimmers (believe uses PWM) with 6 settings 0-100% that seems to do the trick and can record voltage manually. I am limited by space and weight so I've opted for this approach initially.

author: nathankwan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2023, 02:49:24 am
content: Quote from: ankurb on October 14, 2023, 11:02:56 pmSo the objective is to build something that:1. has a total weight under 100g2. can generate 0-100% duty-variable PWM signal or has a DAC to output voltage sweep that covers 0-15V3. can be remotely controlled by a computer4. can record the voltage generated (by the voltage sweeper? or the output of the kilo-volt converter?)That would suggest you need a processor board that:1. has wireless connectivity2. has PWM or DAC generation capability3. has minimal periphrial circuit to reduce weightwithout more detailed parameters, I would recommend you the Espressif esp32 series SoCs. That is a single QFN-package chip providing one or two RISC-V cores that operates at hundreds of MHz, embedded WiFi & Bluetooth, and ADC, DAC, as well as PWM-capable GPIOs. They got the surface-mountable modules that even takes care of PCB antenna for you.Their product selection page:https://products.espressif.com/#/product-selector?language=enAlso if you want to sweep voltage up to 15V, consider an Op-Amp as amplifier and buffering stage.RPi is good for applications that require dense computation and complex network management, which doesn't seem relavent for your project.