AI servers depend on powerful and reliable Power Supply Units (PSUs) for stable operation. The PSU plays a critical role by converting AC power from the grid into the DC power needed by server components. Under the testing guidelines of OCP M-CRPS and ORV3, server power supplies must meet stringent requirements for performance, reliability, and compatibility.
The Open Compute Project (OCP)—a non-profit founded in 2011 by Intel, Facebook (now Meta), Rackspace, and Goldman Sachs—has grown to include major members such as AMD, Dell, Google, HP, Intel, Meta, and Microsoft. Its mission is to promote open hardware architectures for data centers, including specifications for rack-mounted server power supplies, such as M-CRPS (Modular Common Redundant Power Supply) and ORV3 High Power Rack modules. These specifications emphasize digitalization, high efficiency, high density, small size, and high stability, and have gained broad recognition and adoption throughout the industry.
Key Features
This Server PSU/Rectifier Automated Test System is a customized solution built upon the Chroma 8000 ATS platform, specifically designed for automated testing and validation of M-CRPS/ORV3 server PSUs (i.e. rectifiers). Paired with Chroma 61500, 61800, 63200A, and 63600 series measurement instruments, the system enables comprehensive testing of input characteristics, output performance, protection features, and PMBus communication of server power-related products. Unlike traditional automated test software, the software included in this system requires only minimal setup: simply define the test conditions and specifications, and automated testing can begin. Test reports are generated instantly upon completion for maximum efficiency.
Server Power Conversion Device Test Items and Specifications
The diagram below illustrates the power architecture of a data center server system. The PSU is the core of the server system's power and requires a complex system architecture that includes redundancy, hot-swapping, and PMS communication and control. Under the test guidelines of OCP M-CRPS and ORV3, server power supplies must meet high performance, reliability, and compatibility requirements.
Chroma's server power testing solutions can be programmed with automated test items and procedures according to the specifications of the OCP M-CRPS and ORV3 test guidelines. This enables effective evaluation of the performance and reliability of server power supplies in real-world applications, ensuring they meet high operational standards. The test items cover output performance testing to assess the general performance of the server power supply, input characteristics testing to evaluate the input parameters of the server power supply, regulation testing to examine output stability under varying input power and load conditions, timing and transient testing to measure the timing of power-on/off and various events, protection testing to trigger the power supply's protection circuits and functions, and PMBus communication testing of server power status parameters.
Output Performance
- Output current
- Peak-to-peak noise
- Efficiency
- Overshoot voltage
- No-load startup
Input Characteristics
- Inrush current
- Power factor
- Input current harmonic
- Input frequency ramp-up/down
- Input voltage distortion
Regulation Testing
- Output stability under varying loads
- Stability under input voltage variations
- Comprehensive regulation testing
Timing and Transient Testing
- Power-on/off timing
- Rise/fall time
- Dynamic load response
- 160% surge load
- Protection timing
Protection Testing
- Over Voltage Protection (OVP) testing
- Under Voltage Protection (UVP) testing
- Over Current Protection (OCP) / Over Power Protection (OPP)
- Short Circuit Protection (SCP) testing
Other Tests
- PMBus communication (I2C)
The specifications for M-CRPS and ORV3 server PSUs cover a wide range. Chroma’s comprehensive portfolio of test & measurement equipment ensures an automated test system can be tailored to meet specific product specs and testing needs. The recommended test system architecture and supporting equipment for power conversion devices are shown below:
▲ Recommended M-CRPS and ORV3 PSU Test Architecture and Test Equipment
The Chroma 8000 test system includes PowerPro, Chroma's widely adopted power supply testing software platform. PowerPro provides an open software framework that allows users to freely select test hardware, develop their own test programs, automate pass/fail judgments, and conveniently generate reports.
The Chroma 8000 is fully compatible with all relevant device drivers and control commands. When users need to replace test hardware due to upgraded product specifications, the programmed test items and procedures can be reused without modifying the code, allowing seamless interchangeability of ATE equipment. Chroma’s deep expertise in power testing also means reliable technical support and consulting, which helps customers manage changes in test personnel without affecting the maintainability of the test platform.
▲ Chroma 8000 ATS Main Panel
▲ Test Execution (GO/NO GO) Screen
▲ Test Report
