Power Electronics

(2-0-2-3)

CMPE Degree: This course is Elective for the CMPE degree.

EE Degree: This course is Elective for the EE degree.

Lab Hours: 2 supervised lab hours and 0 unsupervised lab hours.

Technical Interest Group(s) / Course Type(s): Electrical Energy

Course Coordinator: Deepakraj M Divan

Prerequisites: ECE 3040 [min C] and (ECE 3042* [min C] or ECE 3043 [min C])

Corequisites: None.

Catalog Description

Introduces power semiconductor devices and power electronic converters,
including single-phase and three-phase ac/dc rectifiers, ac voltage
controllers, dc/dc converters and dc/ac inverters.

Textbook(s)

Power Electronics, Course Notes

Course Outcomes

  1. Design and analyze basic power converter circuits across a range of applications.
  2. Explain how parasitics at the device level impact performance at a system level.
  3. Model the behavior of systems in frequency and time domain.
  4. Extract linearized operating models of non-linear systems at a given operating point.
  5. Apply basic principles to complex real life design problems with multiple constraints.

Student Outcomes

In the parentheses for each Student Outcome:
"P" for primary indicates the outcome is a major focus of the entire course.
“M” for moderate indicates the outcome is the focus of at least one component of the course, but not majority of course material.
“LN” for “little to none” indicates that the course does not contribute significantly to this outcome.

1. ( P ) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

2. ( P ) An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors

3. ( LN ) An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

4. ( M ) An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts

5. ( LN ) An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives

6. ( P ) An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

7. ( P ) An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Strategic Performance Indicators (SPIs)

Not Applicable

Course Objectives

Topical Outline

1. Introduction ( 1week)
Definitions of power, rms, average quantities, Fourier Series; Review of time domain and frequency domain analysis of LRC circuits; Review of linear regulators; Types of power converters; Typical applications of power converters

2. Principles of power conversion (2 weeks)
Ideal switch converters and state variables; Volt-sec and charge balance concepts; Control variables in dc/dc conversion; Typical power semiconductors – key characteristics

3. DC/DC Converters (2 weeks)
Buck converters; Boost converters; Buck-boost converters; Four quadrant DC/DC converters including synchronous rectifiers

4. AC/DC Rectifiers (1 week)
Single phase AC/DC diode rectifiers; Three phase AC/DC diode rectifiers; AC and DC side characteristics, including key parasitics; Principles of thyristor AC/DC rectifiers; Typical applications of AC/DC rectifiers

5. Real Converter Issues (2 weeks)
Power semiconductors – diodes, MOSFETs, IGBTs, thyristors; Conduction losses, switching losses, efficiency, thermal management; Device parasitics, diode reverse recovery, EMI; Passive components – inductors and capacitors; Gate drives, sensors, controllers, etc.; System design of a typical DC/DC converter and applications

6. AC/DC Converters with galvanic isolation – switching power supplies (2 weeks)
Flyback converter; Forward converter; Other single transistor converters; Multi-transistor converters; Unity power factor front-end; System design of overall switched mode power supply

7. DC/AC Inverters (1 week)
Single phase DC/AC inverters; Control of voltage and frequency – PWM control; DC/AC transfer ratio of DC/AC inverters; Three phase DC/AC inverters – fundamental frequency operation; Three phase DC/AC inverters – PWM control; Real limits – over-modulation, non-idealities; Applications of DC/AC inverters, including introduction to advanced inverters

8. Control of power converters (1 week)
State space averaging; Digital control techniques

9. Examples of power converter applications (1 week)
Switched mode power supplies; Motor drives including electric vehicles