Miniware MDP-XP Smart Digital Power Supply Kit

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

banana plug

A banana plug is a common 4 mm connector used on bench power supplies, multimeters and lab test leads, pushing into a matching banana socket. Where terminals use banana plugs or sockets, you can connect standard 4 mm test leads and adapters without soldering.

line loss compensation

Line loss compensation adjusts the output to make up for voltage lost in the cables between the power supply and the device being powered. This matters when using high current or long leads, because the voltage at the device can otherwise be lower than the voltage shown on the supply.

linear DC supply

A bench power supply that provides adjustable direct-current output using linear regulation rather than high-frequency switching. This matters when testing sensitive circuits because linear supplies usually have lower electrical noise, but can be less efficient and produce more heat.

load regulation

Load regulation describes how much a power supply’s output voltage changes when the connected device draws more or less current. Better load regulation helps keep test circuits powered at the voltage you set, even as their current demand changes.

QC3.0

Quick Charge 3.0 (QC3.0) is a Qualcomm fast-charging technology in which a compatible charger and device negotiate a higher voltage over USB so charging can happen faster. A QC3.0 label indicates the kind of charger or power source a device can take advantage of, or that it can itself supply, for faster charging.

RF

RF means radio frequency, referring to signals used for wireless communication and other high-frequency electronics. A low-noise, stable power supply is important for RF circuits because power noise can affect signal quality and measurements.

ripple and noise

Ripple and noise are small unwanted variations on top of a power supply’s DC output. Lower ripple and noise matter when powering sensitive audio, radio or measurement circuits that can be affected by tiny voltage disturbances.

STM32

STM32 is a family of microcontroller chips commonly used in embedded electronics. Knowing a product uses an STM32 can help when looking at firmware updates, pin connections, or low-level serial control options.

TFT screen

A TFT (thin-film transistor) screen is a type of colour LCD that uses a transistor at each pixel for sharper images, faster refresh and better contrast than basic character or passive LCDs. It can show colour graphics, menus or live data, but usually needs more processing power and a suitable display driver than a simple display.

transient response

Transient response describes how quickly a circuit or device settles back to a steady state after a sudden change, such as a power supply reacting to a sudden jump in load or an amplifier responding to a fast input. A faster, well-damped transient response means the output stays closer to its target value during sudden changes.

waveform sampling

Waveform sampling means repeatedly measuring a changing signal over time so it can be displayed or recorded as a graph. For a power supply, it helps you see voltage and current changes during tests instead of only seeing a single number.