Course overview
This course will train students in designing power converters through modelling, simulation and controller synthesis using industry-standard tools. Principles of power electronics. Characteristics (including datasheet parameters) of power semiconductor devices, e.g., power diode, power MOSFET, IGBT, thyristors, wide-bandgap semiconductor devices. Simulations using SPICE and MATLAB/Simulink. Figures of merit (e.g., efficiency, power factor, ripple, total harmonic distortion) and power-related computations. Continuous current mode vs. discontinuous current mode. DC-DC conversion, including buck, boost, buck-boost and Cuk. Modelling (large-signal vs. small-signal, state-space vs. frequency-domain), system identification, and design of controllers for DC-DC converters. AC-DC conversion (rectification): half-wave vs. full-wave, uncontrolled vs. controlled, single-phase vs. three-phase. DC-AC conversion (inversion): voltage-source vs. current-source, single-phase vs. three-phase. Applications of power converters, including case studies of latest trends.
Course learning outcomes
- Describe the characteristics of common power semiconductor devices, and explain how they can be used to realise different power converters. (PLO 1, 7) (EA 1.1-1.3, 3.2)
- Interpret device datasheets and system/application requirements to select devices for different systems/applications. (PLO 1, 5, 9) (EA 1.1-1.3, 1.5-1.6, 2.2-2.3)
- Describe and analyse the operations of DC-DC, AC-DC and DC-AC converters. (PLO 1, 4, 5, 7) (EA 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.2, 3.2)
- Compare different power converters based on their figures of merit. (PLO 1, 5, 9) (EA 1.1-1.3, 1.5-1.6, 2.2)
- Use an industry-standard tool to model and simulate a power converter, and for the converter design a controller. (PLO 1, 4, 5, 9) (EA 1.1-1.3, 1.5-1.6, 2.1-2.3, 3.3)
- Apply research methodology to analyse and discuss a contemporary power electronics topic. (PLO 1-3, 6-8) (EA 1.1-1.4, 3.1-3.2, 3.4-3.6)
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