Curriculum Framework

The challenge in setting up a Power Electronics curriculum framework is that it depends on the targeted learners, instructors backgrounds and the available time scale for delivery. To produce a deliverable curriculum, a modular framework is proposed that enables the instructors to select topic-oriented knowledge that suits the learners and time scale while also meeting their ability to deliver.

The figure above shows the proposed curriculum framework based on various discussions with the industry members/partners, the author of the book Power Electronics Step-by-Step: Design, Modeling, Simulation, and Control, Dr. Weidong Xiao, and a survey result that was conducted in March 2022 targeting tutors and industries about the skills and knowledge required for a Power Electronics graduate.

The results of these discussions and the survey are as follows,

  • The majority of the delivered material focuses on the Thyristors and their operation in AC/DC rectification circuits including single and three-phase rectification. The industry contributors to the survey revealed that this is not required nowadays like before and more advanced circuits based on MOSFETs are worth spending more time on them including active rectifiers with power factor correction.
  • Some curriculums don’t include any practical activities or simulation tasks.
  • An identified gap on the component level part where the learners are not confident enough to select a power switch, identify advanced technologies (Si, SiC, GaN), understand the datasheet or design a gate driver for them.
  • Extensive mathematical modelling using small-signal analysis is not required at the undergraduate level but is recommended at postgraduate levels for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) learners. 55.5% of the industry recruiter agree with this and 44.4% express their recommendation at UG levels.
  • The importance of basic analysis and component operation understanding is highly flagged in line with the ability for self and continuous learning.
  • Consideration should be put when a power electronics curriculum is delivered to other disciplines like Aerospace, Automotive or other relevant engineering as the strength of background and the ultimate goal is different.

The proposed framework is divided into three knowledge levels

  • Component level: it covers the basic knowledge about
    • The power switches including diodes, thyristors, MOSFETs and IGBT transistors.
    • The advantage of recent materials used for fabrication on their switching and conduction performance without going to the physical levels
    • Understanding the datasheet and curves
    • Designing MOSFETs/IGBT gate drivers for low and high side switches
    • Double pulse testing using LTSpice or PLECS is recommended
    • Basics magnetic knowledge about the cores or high-frequency transformers is recommended
  • System Level 1: This level is concerned with basic converter topologies understanding and analysis with basic mathematical steady-state models. It includes
    • Non-isolated and isolated DC/DC converters operation and assessment (efficiency, thermal), understanding of their waveforms and steady-state analysis, basic empirical closed-loop control, i.e. hysteresis or PI control.
    • DC/AC converters operation while leading resistive and inductive loads, understanding of their waveforms with and without dead time and empirical closed-loop control, i.e. hysteresis or PI control.
    • AC/DC converters with basic diode and thyristor rectification but more highlights on MOSFETs-based converters and power factor correction.
    • It is not recommended here to include small-signal modelling
    • It is recommended to highlight the difference between hard and soft switching.
    • It is recommended to highlight EMI and PCB consideration
  • System Level 2: This level is concerned with the modelling and control of different converter topologies. It is recommended for further studies in power electronics as an advanced module for EEE learners but selective for other engineering disciplines or post-graduates. It includes
    • Small-signal modelling of various converter topologies and applying control theory.
    • Analogue controllers, using, i.e. Type II and III compensators, and their design
    • Digital controllers, i.e. hysteresis, PID, Resonant controller, repetitive control, using Arduino, TI, STM32 or Rapid prototyping tools like dSpace, RT Box or OpalRT.
  • Simulation tools: LTSpice and Matlab have been among the most required software kits to be skilled in and used by the industry.

Proposed Curriculum Design

It is known that some institutes deliver power electronics curriculums to EEE students and other discipline students like Aerospace, Automotive, Mechatronics, etc. The content depth and length should be relevant to the aimed skills and knowledge from these students. Furthermore, some institutes bring more attention to the physical level of power switches, i.e. Microelectronics, and the design and fabrication of these switches without touching the application side. The available number of contact hours is different among the academic institutes. However, a minimum of 30h will be considered here as a module. A selective methodology will be applied here to form a module from the proposed framework. A similar pattern can be used to scale up or down the size of the module.

Below are some proposed curriculum designs that guide to fit each level of learners

Electrical & Electronic Engineering

For EEE students, it is recommended that two modules of 30h each are to be delivered to the students in the second to third year or just the third year (final year). Below, I will show examples of a curriculum design outlines for different module structures as follows,

60h Single Module Outline

  • Introduction: that includes briefing, mathematical computations (average, RMS, energy) of various AC and DC waveforms, and advantage of switching circuit. Avoid Fourier Series analysis. (2h Lecture + 2h LTSpice Lab + 1h Tutorial).
  • Component level: Practical switches and losses (1h Lecture), Diodes (Si, SiC) (1h Lecture), Transistors (SiC, SiC MOSFETs, IGBTs)(1.5h Lecture), Thyristors (Triacs)(1h Lecture), Datasheet (Double Pulse Testing)(0.5h Lecture + 1h LTSpice Lab), MOSFET/IGBT Gate drivers(1h Lecture + 1h LTSpice Lab), Thermal assessment (0.5h Lecture+ 1h LTSpice Lab + 0.5h Tutorial), Magnetic cores and HF transformers basics(1h Lecture + 1h FEMM Lab).
  • System level 1: Non-isolated DC/DC converters (operation, steady-state analysis, open-loop design, efficiency and thermal assessment, basic closed-loop implementation) (2h Lecture + 4h LTSpice Lab + 1h Tutorial), isolated DC/DC converters (operation, steady-state analysis, open-loop design, efficiency and thermal assessment, basic closed-loop implementation)(2h Lecture + 2h LTSpice Lab + 1h Tutorial), Inverters (operation, resistive, inductive loads, open-loop design) (1h Lecture + 1h LTSpice Lab + 0.5h Tutorial), AC/DC converters (diode-based, MOSFET-based, power factor correction) (1h Lecture + 2h LTSpice Lab), Dual Active Bridge (1h LTSpice Lab), Resonant converter (soft switching) (1h LTSpice Lab), EMI and PCB consideration (1h Lecture + 1h EMC Lab)
  • System level 2: Average and small-signal modeling (SSM) concept (1h Lecture), modelling of selective converters (3.5h Lecture + 2h Matlab Lab + 1h Tutorial), design feedback loop using Matlab (2h Matlab Lab), Analogue control (Type II, III) for DC/DC converters (2h Lecture + 1h LTSpice/Matlab Lab + 1h Tutorial), Digital controller for DC/DC converter (1h Lecture + 3h Matlab Lab), Digital controller for DC/AC converter (1h Lecture + 3h Matlab Lab).

Total: contact hours : (25h Lectures + 29h Labs + 6h Tutorials) = 60h

Scaled-down version – 30h Single Module Outline

Some EEE courses have a lower number of hours to deliver this content so this is a sampled scaled-down version

  • Introduction: that includes briefing, mathematical computations (average, RMS, energy) of various AC and DC waveforms, and advantage of switching circuit. Avoid Fourier Series analysis. (1.5h Lecture + 1h Tutorial).
  • Component level: Practical switches and losses (0.5h Lecture), Diodes (Si, SiC) (1h Lecture), Transistors (SiC, SiC MOSFETs, IGBTs)(1.5h Lecture), Thyristors (Triacs)(1h Lecture), MOSFET/IGBT Gate drivers(1h Lecture + 1h LTSpice Lab), Thermal assessment (0.5h Lecture + 0.5h Tutorial).
  • System level 1: Non-isolated DC/DC converters (operation, steady-state analysis, open-loop design, efficiency and thermal assessment, basic closed-loop implementation) (2h Lecture + 2h LTSpice Lab + 1h Tutorial), isolated DC/DC converters (operation, steady-state analysis, open-loop design, efficiency and thermal assessment, basic closed-loop implementation)(1.5h Lecture + 2h LTSpice Lab + 1h Tutorial), Inverters (operation, resistive, inductive loads, open-loop design) (1h Lecture + 1h LTSpice Lab + 0.5h Tutorial), AC/DC converters (diode-based, MOSFET-based, power factor correction) (1h Lecture + 1h LTSpice Lab), EMI and PCB consideration (1h Lecture)
  • System level 2: Average and small-signal modeling (SSM) concept (0.5h Lecture), modelling of selective converters (2h Lecture + 1h Tutorial), design feedback loop using Matlab (2h Matlab Lab).

Total: contact hours : (16h Lectures + 9h Labs + 5h Tutorials) = 30h

60h Two Modules Outline

A. Basics of Power Electronics

  • Introduction: that includes briefing, mathematical computations (average, RMS, energy) of various AC and DC waveforms, and advantage of switching circuit. Avoid Fourier Series analysis. (1h Lecture + 1h LTSpice Lab + 0.5h Tutorial).
  • Component level: Practical switches and losses (0.5h Lecture), Diodes (Si, SiC) (0.5h Lecture), Transistors (SiC, SiC MOSFETs, IGBTs)(2h Lecture), Thyristors (Triacs)(1h Lecture), Datasheet (Double Pulse Testing)(0.5h Lecture + 0.5h LTSpice Lab), MOSFET/IGBT Gate drivers(0.5h Lecture + 1h LTSpice Lab), Thermal assessment (0.5h Lecture+ 0.5h LTSpice Lab + 0.5h Tutorial), Magnetic cores and HF transformers basics(1h Lecture + 1h FEMM Lab).
  • System level 1: Non-isolated DC/DC converters (operation, steady-state analysis, open-loop design, efficiency and thermal assessment, basic closed-loop implementation) (2h Lecture + 4h LTSpice Lab + 1h Tutorial), isolated DC/DC converters (operation, steady-state analysis, open-loop design, efficiency and thermal assessment, basic closed-loop implementation)(1h Lecture + 2h LTSpice Lab + 0.5h Tutorial), Inverters (operation, resistive, inductive loads, open-loop design) (1h Lecture + 2h LTSpice Lab + 0.5h Tutorial), AC/DC converters (diode-based, MOSFET-based, power factor correction) (1h Lecture + 1h LTSpice Lab), Dual Active Bridge (0.5h LTSpice Lab), Resonant converter (soft switching) (0.5h LTSpice Lab), EMI and PCB consideration (0.5h Lecture + 1h EMC Lab)

Total: contact hours : (12h Lectures + 15h Labs + 3h Tutorials) = 30h

B. Control of Power Electronics

  • Introduction: that includes briefing, power electronic systems including converters, microgrids, EVs and other applications. (1h Lecture).
  • System level 2 (Modeling and Simulation):
    • Average Modeling concept and modelling of selective converters and simulation (1.5h Lecture + 1.5h Matlab Lab), empirical feedback loop design using Matlab (0.5h Matlab Lab), Linearization and Small-Signal Modeling concept, modelling of selective converters and simulation (1.5h Lecture + 1.5h Matlab Lab), empirical feedback loop design using Matlab (0.5h Matlab Lab)
    • Control and Regulation using on/off control, hysteresis control, PID control, cascade control using Matlab (2h Matlab Lab + 1h Tutorial)
  • System level 2 (Control Implementation):
    • Voltage and current sensing and conditioning (1h Lecture)
    • Analogue control (Type II, III) for DC/DC converters and its implementation using TL494 (1h Lecture + 2h Lab + 1h Tutorial), DC/AC inverters control using PI controller (1h Lecture + 2h LTSpice/Matlab Lab)
    • Introduction to digital control systems including the rapid prototyping ones like dSpace, OpalRT, RT box, STM32, TI microprocessors, Arduino and Hardware in the loop (HIL) concepts (1h Lecture)
    • Digital controller for DC/DC converter driving different loads and machines (2h Lab)
    • Digital controller for DC/AC converter, i.e PR and RC (2h Lab)
  • System level 2 (Hierarchical Control):
    • DC Microgrid system including PV converters with MPPT, parallel DC converters and droop control (1h Lecture + 1.5h Lab + 0.5h Tutorial)
    • AC Microgrid system including PV converters with MPPT, parallel DC/AC inverters and droop control (1h Lecture + 1.5h Lab + 0.5h Tutorial)

Total: contact hours : (10h Lectures + 17h Labs + 3h Tutorials) = 30h

Aerospace, Automotive and other Engineering

Other discipline students have a less intense electronics background and the interest is not high in power electronics as compared with EEE. Usually, nothing is delivered to them during their study at university but it is recommended that at least one 30h module be considered. The topics will be relatively close to the scaled-down version. However, the depth of each depends on the instructor and learners. The suggested design outline is as follows

  • Introduction: that includes briefing, mathematical computations (average, RMS, energy) of various AC and DC waveforms, and advantage of switching circuit. Avoid Fourier Series analysis. (2h Lecture + 2h LTSpice intro Lab + 1h Tutorial).
  • Component level: Practical switches and losses (1h Lecture), Diodes (Si, SiC) (1h Lecture), Transistors (SiC, SiC MOSFETs, IGBTs)(2h Lecture), Thyristors (Triacs)(1h Lecture), MOSFET/IGBT Gate drivers(1h Lecture + 1h LTSpice Lab), Thermal assessment (1h Lecture + 1h Tutorial).
  • System level 1: Non-isolated DC/DC converters (operation, steady-state analysis, open-loop design, efficiency and thermal assessment) (3h Lecture + 2h LTSpice Lab + 1h Tutorial), isolated DC/DC converters (operation, steady-state analysis)(1h Lecture + 2h LTSpice Lab + 1h Tutorial), Inverters (operation, resistive, inductive loads) (1h Lecture + 1h LTSpice Lab + 1h Tutorial), AC/DC converters (diode-based, MOSFET-based, power factor correction) (2h Lecture + 1h LTSpice Lab).

Total: contact hours : (16h Lectures + 9h Labs + 5h Tutorials) = 30h

Identified Recommended Reading List

One of the best Books that fit most of the topics at the required level is Power Electronics Step-by-Step: Design, Modeling, Simulation, and Control By Weidong Xiao

Targeted Reading: if you are interested in topic-oriented references

  • Waveforms Computation
    • Chapter 2 from Power Electronics, Daniel W. Hart
    • Chapter 7 from Switching Power Supplies A – Z, 2nd Edition, Sanjaya Maniktala
  • Thermal Consideration
    • Chapter 10 Section 8 (10.8) from Power Electronics, Daniel W. Hart
    • Chapter 10 Section 8 (10.8) from Power Electronics and Motor Drive Systems, Stefanos Manias
    • Chapter 5 (5.1) from Principles and Elements of POWER ELECTRONICS Devices, Drivers, Applications, and Passive Components, Barry W Williams (available online: http://personal.strath.ac.uk/barry.williams/book.htm)
  • Switches Losses
    • Chapter 6 from Principles and Elements of POWER ELECTRONICS Devices, Drivers, Applications, and Passive Components, Barry W Williams (available online: http://personal.strath.ac.uk/barry.williams/book.htm)
    • Chapter 8 from Switching Power Supplies A – Z, 2nd Edition, Sanjaya Maniktala
  • Switches
    • Diodes: Chapter 2 (Section 2.1 to 2.9) from Power Electronics: Devices, Circuits, and Applications, 4th Edition by Muhammad Rashid
    • BJT Transistors: Chapter 4 (Section 4.1, 4.2 and 4.6) from Power Electronics: Devices, Circuits, and Applications, 4th Edition by Muhammad Rashid
    • MOSFET Transistors: Chapter 4 (Section 4.3) from Power Electronics: Devices, Circuits, and Applications, 4th Edition by Muhammad Rashid
    • Gate Drivers: Chapter 10 (Section 10.2) from Power Electronics, by Daniel Hart
    • SCR: Chapter 9 from Power Electronics: Devices, Circuits, and Applications, 4th Edition by Muhammad Rashid
  • Converters
    • DC/DC Converters:
      • Chapter 6 from Power Electronics, by Daniel Hart 
      • Chapter 2 from Fundamentals of Power Electronics by Robert W. Erickson
      • Chapter 7 from Power Electronics and Motor Drive Systems by Stefanos Manias 
    • Inverter:
      • Chapter 8 from Power Electronics, by Daniel Hart
    • Snubber Circuits:
      • Chapter 10 (Section 10.5) from Power Electronics, by Daniel Hart
      • Chapter 10 (Section 10.9) from Power Electronics and Motor Drive Systems by Stefanos Manias
    • EMC and EMI Reduction in Power Supplies:

Publication

** This Guidance is published in an open-access archive: TeckRxiv : 10.36227/techrxiv.19612155