PwrBlock 323 is a programmable DC power supply designed specifically for automated hardware testing: production jigs, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) setups, and lab benches that need reliable remote control. Instead of adapting a bench PSU (big, fragile, easy to misconfigure) or fighting low-cost modules with changing models and no drivers, PwrBlock 323 is a purpose-built “fixture PSU.” That means it’s easy to integrate mechanically and straightforward to automate in software.

It delivers up to 96 W (32 V, 3 A) and is powered via USB Type-C, making it useful both inside test stands and in field/debug situations where you don’t have mains power nearby. SCPI control and Python-friendly tooling let you script power sequencing, current limiting, safety checks, and test steps the same way every time.

Accurate, Reliable Power for Testing

If you build production jigs or automated test stands, you know the pain: a bench PSU sitting next to a fixture gets bumped, switched off, or reconfigured. Or perhaps that low-cost power supply saves money but has no stable API, no documentation, and the “same” product has fluctuating accuracy between batches. PwrBlock 323 is meant to be built into your test stand, powered by USB Type-C, and controlled by your test software so every unit sees the same power conditions and the same automated sequence.

For embedded engineers and hardware developers, PwrBlock 323 is also a practical bench/field supply: set voltage and current limit once, power a DUT safely, and optionally run repeatable power-cycling scripts during bring-up, regression testing, or debugging away from a full lab setup.

Features & Specifications

Electrical

• Output power: up to 96 W
• Output range: up to 32 V, up to 3 A
• Input power: USB Type-C 20 V 5 A
• Protections: OVP, OCP, OPP, OTP
• Measurement resolution: 10 mV / 1 mA
• Adjustment resolution: 10/20 mV / 1mA
• Ripple: < 30 mVpp, < 2 mA RMS

Hardware

• Power controller: LM51772
• Input protection: TPS259830
• MCU: STM32G0C1CEU
• Measurements: INA229
• Fixture-friendly form factor intended to mount inside a jig/stand
• Robust mechanical design with multiple mounting holes
• Connectors allow either direct wiring or direct plug-in to a jig interface board
• Dimensions (L × W × H): 130 x 70 x 20 mm (5.12 x 2.76 x 0.79 in)

Interfaces & Ports

• USB Type-C for power-in and control
• Additional USB Type-C for control
• Pin Header 2.54 10 for control
• Pin Header 2.54 40 for power and protected IO
  • Power-in
  • Power-out
  • UART
  • SPI
  • I2C
  • 7 x DIO
• Banana jacks for direct power connection

Automation & Software

• SCPI control (automation-friendly command interface)
• Python-ready (designed to be easy to integrate into test scripts and frameworks)
• Suitable for automated test jigs, HIL, and production stations

Open Source

We’re building PwrBlock 323 as an open platform, because test infrastructure should be understandable, maintainable, and repairable years later, not a black box that breaks when a vendor changes a model or firmware or component.

We plan to publish the full set of project sources: hardware design files (schematics, PCB layout, and mechanical/3D files), firmware source code, and host-side tooling (Python library and utilities used to control the device). This gives engineers a clear view of how the device behaves, makes debugging easier, and allows teams to adapt PwrBlock 323 to their own jigs and workflows.

Licensing plan:

• Hardware design: CERN-OHL-P v2
• firmware + host software: Apache-2.0
• documentation: CC BY 4.0

We’ll make the public repository available before units ship to Crowd Supply for fulfillment.

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