The story begins decades earlier, when Mammano was a young physicist in the aerospace industry, frustrated by the lack of integrated circuits (ICs) for power control. In 1974, he revolutionized electronics by designing the
Choosing the right topology is the first and most critical decision in power design. Mammano categorizes and compares topologies based on power level, input/output isolation, voltage constraints, and efficiency goals.
Essential reading for any hardware engineer. Five stars for clarity, authority, and practicality.
Exploring Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) and Zero Current Switching (ZCS) topologies, such as LLC resonant converters. These architectures eliminate switching losses, allowing engineers to push switching frequencies into the megahertz range while maintaining high efficiency. A Timeless Resource for Power Engineers The story begins decades earlier, when Mammano was
Minimizing energy loss to reduce heat generation and operating costs.
Analyzes circuit topologies, detailing the operational criteria, switch stresses, and compromises defining modern power stages.
At its core, this is the textbook that many power engineers have been waiting for. It is a well-polished, distilled summary of a 40-year engineering education, written by a master of the craft. For its target audience, it is likely the most valuable power supply book you can own. Essential reading for any hardware engineer
. This wasn't just a textbook; it was a legacy project that distilled nearly 50 years of industry-shaping experience into a single volume. The Visionary's Journey
Before dissecting the content, it is critical to understand the context. Prior to 2017, most power supply literature fell into two categories: overly theoretical academic textbooks (filled with Laplace transforms but little practical PCB layout advice) or fragmented application notes from semiconductor companies.
Power supply control techniques are used to regulate the output voltage and ensure stable operation of the power supply. Some common control techniques include: Prior to 2017
Fundamentals of Power Supply Design: The Definitive Guide by Robert Mammano (2017)
: In-depth guidance for meeting global regulations for electromagnetic compatibility (EMI) , human safety, and energy efficiency.