The "interesting story" behind Robert (Bob) Mammano ’s 2017 book, Fundamentals of Power Supply Design , is that it represents the culmination of over of industry-shaping expertise from the man known as the "Father of the PWM Controller" Electronics360
Rather than being written as a standard academic textbook, the book was born from the legendary Unitrode/TI Power Supply Design Seminars
. These seminars, which Mammano helped lead for decades, became the "gold standard" for practical engineering education when university curriculums often lacked deep power electronics instruction. Key Highlights of the "Story" A "User Turned Supplier"
: In 1957, Mammano started as an aerospace circuit designer. Frustrated by the lack of appropriate integrated circuits for his designs, he co-founded Silicon General in 1969 to build them himself. The Industry Milestone : In 1974, he designed the
, the world’s first fully integrated Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controller IC. This single chip revolutionized power electronics by making switching power supplies practical and accessible for designers everywhere. The Unitrode/TI Legacy : Mammano eventually moved to Unitrode (later acquired by Texas Instruments
), where he continued to innovate—including creating the first current-mode controller and a landmark PWM controller in an 8-pin package. Retirement to Authorship
: After officially retiring in 2010, Mammano decided to take the vast library of knowledge from 40 years of seminars—which had reached over 50,000 attendees—and organize it into this single, definitive 331-page volume. Amazon.com The book was officially introduced in March 2017 The "interesting story" behind Robert (Bob) Mammano ’s
at the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC), where Mammano signed copies for the next generation of engineers. It is highly regarded for its "industry-first" perspective, blending deep mathematical theory with real-world circuit design and historical anecdotes. covered in the book or Mammano's Fundamentals of Power Supply Design: Robert A. Mammano
Robert A. Mammano’s Fundamentals of Power Supply Design , published by Texas Instruments in 2017, is a comprehensive 333-page technical guide that distills over 40 years of industry knowledge from the renowned Unitrode/TI Power Supply Design Seminars.
Known as the "Father of the PWM controller," Mammano designed the first integrated PWM controller IC (the SG1524) in 1974. His book serves as both a practical introduction for new engineers and a deep-dive reference for seasoned professionals. Key Content & Structure
The book is organized into 13 chapters that move from foundational definitions to advanced implementation:
Foundations: Covers basic power supply definitions, global AC voltage standards, and standard DC values for converters.
Topologies & Control: Detailed exploration of circuit topologies (such as buck, boost, and flyback) and the algorithms used to control switching. Introduction Fundamentals of Power Supply Design is widely
Stability & Magnetics: dedicated chapters on feedback-loop compensation to ensure stability and the critical design of magnetic components.
Compliance & Safety: In-depth guidance on meeting regulations for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), human safety (e.g., electric shock and fire hazards), and energy efficiency.
Modern Implementation: Discussion on the value of digital control and practical construction techniques. Why It’s a Vital Resource
Historical Context: Unlike standard textbooks, it chronicles the history of the power supply industry alongside technical derivations.
Practical Validation: Theories and equations are supported by actual measurements from practical example circuits.
Industry Legacy: Each chapter includes references to specific Texas Instruments Power Supply Design Seminars for further research. Fundamentals of Power Supply Design: Robert A. Mammano forward voltage drops in diodes
Whether you are a student, a recent engineering grad entering the field of power electronics, or a seasoned power supply designer, Amazon.com The Basics of Power Supply Design All in One Place
Fundamentals of Power Supply Design is widely regarded as an essential "bible" for engineers working in power electronics. Published by Texas Instruments, this book serves as both a textbook for students and a practical reference for practicing engineers. Robert Mammano, a pioneer in the power electronics industry (often credited as the inventor of the first PWM controller IC), leverages decades of experience to demystify the complex art of converting power efficiently.
The book bridges the gap between theoretical circuit analysis and the practical realities of designing stable, efficient power supplies using modern integrated circuits.
Festivals punctuate the Indian calendar, often overriding work schedules. Key examples:
Search for “Mammano Robert A 2017 Fundamentals of Power Supply Design Texas Instruments” on major technical book retailers (Amazon, DigiKey, Mouser) or directly on TI’s educational portal. The paperback is affordable, but the real value is in the supplemental application notes referenced throughout.
In the world of power electronics, few texts are as widely respected or frequently recommended as Robert Mammano’s Fundamentals of Power Supply Design. Published under the Texas Instruments umbrella—specifically leveraging the legacy of Unitrode, a company pivotal in power management innovation—this book serves as a bridge between academic circuit theory and the gritty realities of hardware design.
While academic textbooks often focus heavily on differential equations and ideal topologies, Mammano’s work is a practitioner’s guide. It addresses the "how" and "why" of the Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) design flow, making it an essential desk reference for engineers ranging from students to seasoned professionals.