http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_3/chpt_9/2.html
I am not happy with this, even if it is in draft stage currently.
For instance a distinction between "low-end" switchers,
and "expensive" switchers is made.
The former would have ripple as high as unregulated power supplies.
And the latter would be ripple free.
This has not much correlation to reality.
Most switchers nowadays have little ripple currents, however they are still significant, for instance they can disturb certain circuits.
All switchers can become improved by suitable filters. There are not really "low-end" SMPS, and "expensive" SMPS.
Important in my opinion are isolation SMPS, using a flyback transformer, and buck-mode SMPS, using only a storage coil.
As well discretely built, IC based, or complex circuits like for instance ATX supplies.
There is also a topic called ripple regulated supplies. This is not the usual term. They rather count as Thyristor regulators. And the problems they cause can depend on the load, and the power level (for instance assymetric loading of the grid, as well unwanted currents inside the mains transformer).
Circuits like these for instance have been used in television sets in the 1970s, but all Thyristor based, never heard of a transistor based regulator of this type.
Linear regulators by no means have to be brute force, they are often used when only small current are needed. And by no means limited to transistors only. It's correct they are often avoided nowadays for larger currents.
The article as such is not very useful, not enough correlation to reality, needs major rewrite.
When "low-end" switchers are mentioned, they should be described properly, for instance abused linear regulator ICs, or based on simple transistor circuits. They are not always of bad efficiency, and application depends on the purpose. Low ripple is not always relevant, sometimes not at all for instance for bulbs. And since the frequency is in the kHz range, filtering is quite simple.
I am not happy with this, even if it is in draft stage currently.
For instance a distinction between "low-end" switchers,
and "expensive" switchers is made.
The former would have ripple as high as unregulated power supplies.
And the latter would be ripple free.
This has not much correlation to reality.
Most switchers nowadays have little ripple currents, however they are still significant, for instance they can disturb certain circuits.
All switchers can become improved by suitable filters. There are not really "low-end" SMPS, and "expensive" SMPS.
Important in my opinion are isolation SMPS, using a flyback transformer, and buck-mode SMPS, using only a storage coil.
As well discretely built, IC based, or complex circuits like for instance ATX supplies.
There is also a topic called ripple regulated supplies. This is not the usual term. They rather count as Thyristor regulators. And the problems they cause can depend on the load, and the power level (for instance assymetric loading of the grid, as well unwanted currents inside the mains transformer).
Circuits like these for instance have been used in television sets in the 1970s, but all Thyristor based, never heard of a transistor based regulator of this type.
Linear regulators by no means have to be brute force, they are often used when only small current are needed. And by no means limited to transistors only. It's correct they are often avoided nowadays for larger currents.
The article as such is not very useful, not enough correlation to reality, needs major rewrite.
When "low-end" switchers are mentioned, they should be described properly, for instance abused linear regulator ICs, or based on simple transistor circuits. They are not always of bad efficiency, and application depends on the purpose. Low ripple is not always relevant, sometimes not at all for instance for bulbs. And since the frequency is in the kHz range, filtering is quite simple.
