FusionXvision
Power Management
BenchVolt PD
A five-channel, 100-W, open-source, USB-PD power supply with support for fixed, adjustable, current-limited, and waveform-capable outputs
FusionXvision
Power Management
BenchVolt PD transforms any USB Type-C power adapter into a versatile, multi-channel laboratory power supply. Designed for makers, engineers, and professionals, it combines portability, safety, and flexibility to put bench-grade power performance in your pocket. With up to 100 W of total power, five output channels, and built-in monitoring, it’s the perfect tool for powering prototypes, testing circuits, and working in the field without bulky equipment.
Unlike traditional lab supplies that occupy valuable bench space, BenchVolt PD fits in the palm of your hand while offering five channels — including adjustable and fixed outputs. Powered through USB-PD, it delivers up to 20 V at 5 A, allowing you to power multiple development boards or sensors simultaneously from a single portable unit.
At power-up, all converters start in a safe, disabled state. The onboard STM32 microcontroller performs voltage, current, and temperature checks before enabling outputs in sequence. Real-time protection ensures that each channel operates within safe limits. You can also define total power limits through the USB-PD interface or Python control software.
BenchVolt PD is fully open source — from the hardware schematics and firmware to the Python control GUI. This means developers can modify voltage ranges, add new features, or integrate the system into automated test setups and educational tools.
When BenchVolt PD powered on, all regulators and converters start in the disabled state. The STM32 microcontroller first powers up and performs safety checks by monitoring temperature, current, and voltage. It then enables the DC-DC converters, followed by the linear regulators in sequence.
Throughout operation, the MCU continuously monitors system all parameters to maintain safe operating conditions.
An additional safety layer can be enabled by setting a power limit through the USB PD interface, ensuring the system never exceeds the predefined power threshold. This limit can be configured using the device’s on-screen menu, the rotary encoder, or the Python control interface.
Each DC-DC converter is monitored to ensure no more than 5 A is drawn from its output. The 1.8 V and 2.5 V LDO regulators share the same 4 V / 5 A pre-regulator rail, while the 3.3 V and Adjustable (0.5 V – 5.5 V) LDOs share the 5.5 V / 5 A rail. Therefore, when both LDOs on the same rail are heavily loaded, their combined output current should not exceed 5 A total (typically below 3 A per channel).
The third buck-boost output (0.8 V – 22 V) operates independently and is capable of delivering up to 3 A. Since this channel’s output comes directly from the DC-DC converter, its ripple and noise levels are somewhat higher, but overall stability and performance remain excellent for most applications.
The other outputs — regulated through LDOs — provide exceptionally low ripple, offering clean and stable voltages that are ideal for sensitive analog and digital circuits.
Note: In theory, the system is capable of delivering up to 100 W of total power. However, due to conversion and regulation losses within the DC-DC converters and LDOs, the full 100 W cannot be used. The maximum achievable power depends on the connected USB PD adapter and cable. For example, a 65 W charger will cap the system power at 65 W.
| Output Channel | Ripple (p-p) | Noise (RMS) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Outputs (1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V) | < 4 mVpp | < 4 mVrms | Measured @ 20 MHz BW, 1A load |
| Adjustable Output 1 (0.5 V – 5 V) | < 4 mVpp | < 4 mVrms | Measured @ 20 MHz BW, 1A mA load |
| Adjustable Output 2 (0.8) V – 22 V) | < 25 mVpp | < 25 mVrms | Measured @ 20 MHz BW, 1A load |
| BanchVolt-PD | PocketPD | Spark Analyzer | Miniware MDP-XP | Tekpower TP3016M | Standard Lab Power Supplies | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Input Source | USB Type-C PD | USB Type-C PD-PPS | USB Type-C PD-PPS | DC 4.2-30 V | 110-220 VAC | 110-220 VAC |
| Remote Control Interface | USB Type-C (VCOM) - Python UI (SCPII) | No | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | No | USB, Ethernet |
| Manuel Control | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Portable | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Channels | 5 (3 fixed + 2 adjustable) | 1 | 1 | 1 (Modular) | 1 | ≤ 4 |
| Voltage Range | 0–22 V | 3.3–20.5 V | 3.3–21 V | 0–30 V | 0–30 V | 0-30 V |
| Limits | Current limit with 1 mA steps | Current limit starting from 1 A | Current limit starting from 1 A | Full | Unknown | Full |
| Safety | ESD, temperature, short-circuit, and reverse-polarity protection | Short reverse fly-back protection | Unknown | Full | Unknown | Full |
| Arbitrary Function Generation | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Output Noise & Ripple | <4 mVrms & <4 mVpp for LDO outputs, <25 mVrms & < 25 mVpp for Adjutable Output 2 | Unknown | Unknown | 3 mVpp / 250 uVrms | CV < 1 mVrms, CC < 3 mArms | ≤4 mVpp, ≤1 mVrms, ≤5 mArms |
| Resolution | 1-5 mA / 1-5 mV | 20 mV / 50 mA | 20 mV / 50 mA | 1 mV / 1 mA | 10 mV / 1 mA | 1 mV / 1 mA |
| Price Range | $167 | $70 | $49 | $269 | $140 | >$1000 |
BenchVolt PD is fully open source. All schematics, STM32 firmware, Python GUI code, and enclosure design files (STL and TinkerCAD) have been shared in our official GitHub repository.
PCB fabrication and assembly will be carried out in China. The plexiglass top and sides and CNC-milled aluminum base will be produced in the Netherlands. Final assembly, testing, firmware flashing, and inspection will be done in the Netherlands.
After our production run is complete, we will package everything up and send it along to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, who will handle distribution to backers worldwide. You can learn more about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service under Ordering, Paying, and Shipping in their guide.
The project has been fully developed, tested, and verified to work as intended. Both hardware and software have been tested successfully. Some minor hardware improvements (mainly for heat dissipation and performance optimization) will be made, but they do not pose any risk to the project. Future firmware updates and improvements may be implemented based on feedback from backers. No major risks are currently anticipated.
Produced by FusionXvision in Delft, Netherlands.
Sold and shipped by Crowd Supply.
Complete USB-PD power supply with enclosure and cables. Includes aluminum base, plexiglass side panels, 5 alligator-to-banana cables, and one 2.54 mm socket-to-socket ribbon cable.
We design open-source products in all areas of electronics, including RF, power electronics, embedded software, and hardware.
