Lecture: Power Electronics Specialization at University of Colorado Boulder

Introduction

Focus on switching power converters
Applications: Electric vehicles, battery charging, variable speed wind turbines, solar power systems, mobile electronics, computer server systems, spacecraft power systems
Goals: High-efficiency power conversion, accurate and sophisticated control
Course Material: Textbook (optional), videos, PDF lecture slides
Prerequisites: Undergraduate level circuits and electronics
Course Format: Available in credit and non-credit versions
University Course Number: ECEA 5700 for credit version
Follow-up Courses:
- Converter Circuits
- Control of Converters
- Design of Magnetics for Converters
Non-Credit Version: Coursera completion certificate upon assignment completion
Credit Version: University tuition, transcripted credit, access to exams and teaching assistants, office hours

Non-Credit to Credit Transfer: You can upgrade by paying university tuition
Credit Refund and Withdrawal: Full refund within 14 days; withdrawal possible before accessing exam with 'W' grade
Homework Assignments: 3 graded homework assignments, unlimited attempts
Examinations: Practice exam (non-graded), proctored real exam (closed book, 2-hour)
Passing Threshold for Non-Credit: Typically 70%

Simulation of Switching Converters: Use LTSpice for waveforms analysis
Converter Analysis: Techniques for steady-state converter analysis
Equivalent Circuit Models: Develop models for basic properties and analyze efficiency
Introduction to Control: Feedback application to switching converters
Magnetics Design: Inductors and transformers design
Simulation and Advanced Control: Use LTSpice for advanced topics (e.g., digital control)
Capstone Design Project: Design a power conversion system for a USB Type-C interface

Power Converters: DC-DC, AC-DC, DC-AC, and AC-AC conversions through switches, inductors, capacitors, and semiconductors.
Efficiency Considerations: High efficiency to conserve energy and minimize heating.
Switch Modeling: Convert waveforms into DC components, apply transformations, and low-pass filtering.
Theoretical Foundations: Volt-second balance for inductors, charge balance for capacitors.
Simulation Tools: Use of SPICE (Simulated Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) for circuit simulations
Practical Circuit Examples: Implementation of simulations for buck converters and other topologies.

Buck Converter: Stepping down voltage
Boost Converter: Stepping up voltage
Buck-Boost Converter: Inverts and can step up or down voltage
Flyback Converter: Isolation version of buck-boost for better cross-regulation and efficiency
Forward Converter: Transformer isolated version of buck for better efficiency over duty cycles

Simulation: Download and use LTSpice for various simulation assignments
Inclusion of Switches: Realizing switches using semiconductor devices
Gate Drivers: Drive MOSFETs effectively considering gate capacitances and driver resistances
Switching Losses: Important consideration, leading to selection of switching components and topologies based on efficiency
Transformers in Converters: Analysis with magnetizing inductance, transformer resets, and multiple secondary windings

Multiple Outputs Design: Handling multiple outputs from transformers
High Efficiency Conversion: Using advanced techniques for efficiency, like synchronous rectification
High Power Applications: Handling switching in high power scenarios with IGBTs, MOSFETs, and wide band-gap semiconductors (SiC, GaN)

Work through simulation assignments, practical examples using LTSpice.
Focus on implementing and understanding different power converter topologies and their efficiencies.

Participating actively in discussions and using course materials provides a strong foundation in power electronics and prepares for advanced applications in energy-efficient systems design.