Counts as:

• EE Elective
• CMPE Selective - Special Content

Experimental Course Offered:

Spring 2025

Campus/Online:

On-campus only

Requisites:

ECE 31033

Requisites by Topic:

Power electronics

Catalog Description:

The course introduces students to advanced power electronics converters dealing with ac voltage. The power electronics topologies considered in this course are sorted into two groups: multilevel configurations and back-to-back converters. The multilevel configurations presented are a) neutral-point-clamped, b) cascade, c) flying capacitor, and d) non-conventional multilevel configurations. The back-to-back converters presented are a) three-phase to three- phase, b) single-phase to three-phase, c) single-phase to single-phase ac-dc-ac converters. A new methodology will be employed to present comprehensively multilevel and back-to-back converters topologies. The main applications of those converters are in renewable energy systems, active power filters, energy efficiency devices and motor drive systems. Furthermore, this course introduces a new method to present power electronics converters called Power Blocks Geometry (PBG). Such methods focus on how the main power converters were conceived by following a simple yet effective teaching process. Furthermore, this course offers a comprehensive set of simulation results to help understand the circuits presented as well as applications for those converters.

Learning Outcomes

A student who successfully fulfills the course requirements will have demonstrated:

• an understanding of the primary metrics utilized for comparing power electronics converters
• an ability to analyze/design power converters capable to generate an output voltage with reduced THD (Total Harmonic Distortion)
• an understanding how different topologies of converters were conceived
• an ability to design optimized PWM and linear control strategies for multi-level and ac-dc-ac converters
• an ability to design/specify control strategies that guarantee power factor correction, dc-link voltage, and output control in back-to-back converters
• an understanding on how the overall losses of power converters can be estimated and minimized
• an ability to develop analytical models for both multilevel and back-to-back configurations
• an ability to specify passive components (inductor and capacitor) and heat sink for a given topology
• an understanding on how to apply a specific topology of converter that aligns with the requirements of a particular application
• an understanding of how to design power converters that connect renewable energy systems to the traditional grid that will contribute to decrease carbon emissions
• an understanding how power processing units connected to AC systems can be used as an active filter, and improve power quality, leading to positive economic outcomes
• an ability to convey information effectively in both written and oral formats (final project), along with the ability to explain the fundamental concepts of multilevel and back-to-back converters
• an ability to work in teams for component selection, design, circuit simulation, and define control strategies for multilevel and back-to-back power electronic converters
• an ability to use simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, PSIM) to model and analyze power electronic circuits and compare simulation results of different topologies of converters processing AC voltages
• an understanding of how the waveforms can be used to determine device switching characteristics, power losses, and efficiency
• an ability to calculate key performance metrics via simulation, which includes efficiency, power factor, and harmonic distortion
• an ability to apply the learned materials regarding Power Block Geometry to propose other configurations of power converters used in AC systems

Assessment Method:

Homework, exams. (11/2024)