Design Support

PI Expert Design Software

PI Expert® Suite v7.1 simplifies the design of off-line power supplies and DC-DC converters based on PI products.

New Features in PI Expert v7.1

Support for LED-specific designs added to the New-Design Wizard
New easy-to-use multiple output capacitor selection form

New Features in PI XLs Designer v7.1

New Audit Report feature summarizes any potential problems with the design
Transformer construction is now available for LinkSwitch-II including EMI shielding techniques
Support for HiperPLC
LinkSwitch-CV flyback topology support

Read about the new features!		Download the Software!* * If you already have v7.1, use the software updater (Help -> Check Latest Updates) to get the latest!

*View Other PI Expert v7.1* Tutorials!**		Watch the Introductory Video!

Designing with a Fixed PI Device and/or a Fixed Transformer Core How to Define and Force the Software to Design with Floating (Galvanically Isolated) Outputs Adding a Custom Transformer into the Component Library How to Design with Your Own Custom Component Lists How to Design and Compensate Your Control Loop - The Role Played by Compensation Elements Introduction to PI Xls

PI Expert Suite v7.1 consists of three components:

PI Expert: an interactive program that takes a user's power supply specifications and automatically determines the critical components (including transformer specifications) needed to generate a working switch mode power supply. Optimization choices for cost or efficiency are included to deliver designs that meet specific needs. The program reduces design time from days to minutes.
PI Xls Designer: a simplified spreadsheet approach to power supply design for advanced users and those who prefer a spreadsheet interface, along with support for recently introduced products not yet included in PI Expert.
PI Viewer: a method for viewing design files created with older versions of PI Expert.

Design Software Support Overview

PI Product	Design Software Support¹
PI Product	PI Expert	PI Xls
*DPA-Switch*	X	X²
*HiperPLC*		X⁵
*LinkSwitch*		X
*LinkSwitch-II***		X³
*LinkSwitch-HF***		X
*LinkSwitch-CV***		X
*LinkSwitch-LP***		X
*LinkSwitch-TN***		X⁴
*LinkSwitch-XT***	X	X
*PeakSwitch*	X	X
*TinySwitch-II*	X	X
*TinySwitch-III*	X	X
*TinySwitch-PK*	X	X
*TOPSwitch-GX***	X	X
*TOPSwitch-HX***	X	X

¹ All products are supported in the Flyback topology unless otherwise noted
² Supported in both the Flyback and Forward topologies
³ Supported in both the Flyback and Tapped-Inductor Buck topologies
⁴ Supported in Flyback, Buck and Buck-Boost toplogies
⁵ Supported in LLC Resonant topology

Get PI Expert!

Download PI Expert v7.1* (contains PI Expert and PI Xls)

* If you already have v7.1, use the software updater
(Help -> Check Latest Updates) to get the latest release!

Order a PI Expert Power Supply Design Software CD-ROM

Installation Instructions

For users installing PI Expert Suite for the first time:

Download and run the PI Expert Suite v.7.1 installer to install all tools (PI Expert, PI Xls, and PI Viewer).
Assuming that you left the "Yes, check for program updates" box that appears during the install checked, the installer will check for updates before it completes the installation. To take advantage of this feature, ensure you have the "Yes, check for program updates" box checked, have an Internet connection, and then click Finish. The InstallShield program will check for updates for each tool that you installed, and automatically download and update the software to support the latest products. Follow the prompts to update all of the tools to the latest version.

For users upgrading from v. 6.6 and v. 6.5:

Download and run the PI Expert Suite v.7.1 installer to install all three tools (PI Expert, PI Xls, and PI Viewer).
Uninstall the previous version when prompted by the installer. Note that previously saved designs will be preserved.
Follow the installation instructions.
Assuming that you left the "Yes, check for program updates"; box that appears during the install checked, the installer
will check for updates before it completes the installation. To take advantage of this feature, ensure you have the "Yes, check for program updates" box checked, have an Internet connection, and then click Finish. The InstallShield program will check for updates for each tool that you installed, and automatically download and update the software to support the latest products. Follow the prompts to update all of the tools to the latest version.

For users upgrading from earlier versions (v. 6.1 and earlier):

PI Expert Suite v6.1 and newer versions use Auto-Update to ensure that you always have the most up-to-date version of the software. To obtain support for new products and software updates using the Auto-Update feature, run any of the programs that you have installed, then select Help -> Check Latest Updates from the program menu. Once the Software Manager launches, it will check for updates for each tool that you have installed. The Software Manager will automatically download and update the software to support the latest products. Follow the prompts to update all of the tools to the latest version.

Get PI Expert Technical Support

Frequently Asked Questions

PI Expert Suite Support Forum