COURSES
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ECE 5/7311 - Power Electronics
Course Description: Power electronic circuits and switching devices such as power transistors, MOSFETs, SCRs, GTOs, IGBTs, and UJTs are studied. Their applications in AC/DC, DC/DC, DC/AC, and AC/AC converters as well as switching power supplies and UPS systems are explained. Simulation mini-projects and lab experiments emphasize power electronic circuit analysis, design, and control.
Course Purpose: Power electronic converters are used in different applications from low-power personal computers, home appliances, and automotive systems, to medium-power telecommunication systems, switching power supplies, and industrial motor drives, to high-power active filters and flexible AC transmission systems for terrestrial power systems. In fact, power electronics provides the basis for a variety of new electrical circuit architectures that allow substantial improvements in performance and flexibility.
The purpose of this introductory course in power electronics is to give an overview of the major aspects of switching power devices and circuits. Operating principles of different electronic switches as well as converters such as rectifiers, choppers, and inverters are presented. Applications of power electronics are explained. Guidelines to design proper switching circuits are also established.
Prerequisite: Circuits II
Course Text: Daniel W. Hart, Power Electronics, McGraw-Hill Education; 1st edition (January 22, 2010) ISBN-10: 0073380679
Other References:
R1. N. Mohan, T. M. Undeland, and W. P. Robbins, Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design, Media Enhanced Third Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2003, ISBN 0-471-22693-9.
R2. M. H. Rashid, Power Electronics: Circuits, Devices, and Applications, Third Edition, Prentice Hall, 2004, ISBN 0-13-101140-5.
Coming Soon (ECE 5/7XXX): Motor drives for Robotics and Transportation Systems
Course Description: Designed with support from the TUES program of the National Science Foundation (NSF), this course provides students with a strong academic background and hands on laboratory-based experience focused on energy-efficient hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Fundamentals of drivetrains for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicle drives are studied with a brief introduction to different machine topologies. Applications of semiconductor switching circuits to adjustable speed drives, robotics, and traction applications are explored. Selection of motors and drives, calculating the ratings, speed control, position control, starting, and braking are also covered. Simulation mini-projects and lab experiments are based on the lectures given.
Course Purpose: The purpose of this design course in hybrid electric vehicle technologies is to use the HEV and EV as a platform to integrate fundamental concepts from electric machines, micro-controllers, signal processing and control theory. It will give an overview of the major components of powertrains in Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. Operation of the electric motor drive (including electric machine and power electronics) will be explored in the context of power, torque and performance in this high-efficiency system. It will evaluate the design electric machines, control of adjustable speed drives for electrified transportation systems with industry-relevant examples and problems.
Pre-requisite: Fundamentals of Power
Course text: Principles of Electric Machines and Power Electronics, 3rd Edition, P. C. Sen, Wiley Press, ISBN-10: 9781118078877
Other references:
R1. AC Motor Control and Electrical Vehicle Applications, K. H. Nam, 2nd Edition, CRC Press, ISBN: 9781351778183, 2018.
R2. Electric Vehicle Machines and Drives: Design, Analysis and Application, K. T. Chau, 1st Edition, Wiley – IEEE Press, 2015.
Additional Courses
These courses will be introduced soon on a rotating basis, giving students the opportunity to engage with a variety of specialized topics over time. The rotation ensures exposure to emerging technologies and applied research areas while maintaining flexibility in scheduling.
ECE 5XXX: Adjustable Speed Drives
Course Description: Fundamentals of electric machines, basic principles of variable speed controls, field orientation theory, direct torque control, vector control of AC drives, induction machines, switched reluctance and synchronous reluctance motors, permanent magnet brushless DC drives, converter topologies of DC and AC drives, and sensorless operation.
ECE 5XXX: CAD Design of Electric Machines
Course Description: Fundamentals of energy conversion will be discussed, which are the foundation of efficient design and operation of motors & generators in modern day automotive, domestic and renewable energy systems. It will further investigate application-based principles of structural assessment, electromagnetic analysis, dimensional and thermal constraints for different machines and motor drives. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software and Matlab-based design projects will be used using to model the performance and operation of electric machines.
ECE 5XXX: Renewable Energies
Course Description: Fundamentals of energy conversion will be discussed, which are the foundation of efficient design and operation of motors & generators in modern day automotive, domestic and renewable energy systems. It will further investigate application-based principles of structural assessment, electromagnetic analysis, dimensional and thermal constraints for different machines and motor drives. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software and Matlab-based design projects will be used using to model the performance and operation of electric machines.