Automatic fault diagnosis of a switching regulator

This paper describes a microprocessor-based system for the automatic fault diagnosis of a switching regulator. It covers the system from a test philosophy to a working breadboard that correctly identifies single simulated faults in the switching regulator. In addition to open circuit, short circuit, and stuck at faults, the system is capable of diagonosing faults due to excessive leakage, drift in critical components, and system instability.