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Module | Topic Overview | Activities/Assignments and alignment to course learning objectives |
1 | Day 1, Session 1: Introduction to Digital Control — Motivation, sampling theory, A/D and D/A conversion, quantization, computational delay, comparison of analog vs. digital implementations. | MATLAB exercise: discretize a converter plant model using ZOH and Tustin methods; analyze frequency response. Aligns with LO1. |
2 | Day 1, Session 2: Discrete-Time Modeling — z-transforms, pulse transfer functions, bilinear (Tustin) transformation, zero-order hold (ZOH) discrete equivalent, stability analysis. | MATLAB exercise: build z-domain plant model, plot pole-zero map and Bode diagram. Aligns with LO1. |
3 | Day 2, Session 3: Digital Compensator Design — Voltage-mode PI and lead-lag compensators in z-domain, loop gain analysis, gain/phase margin in discrete domain, Bode verification. | Design a PI voltage-mode controller in MATLAB/Simulink; verify gain and phase margins. Aligns with LO1. |
4 | Day 2, Session 4: Average Current-Mode Control — Inner current loop, outer voltage loop, dual-loop architecture for DC-DC converters, Qspice closed-loop simulation. | Simulate dual-loop current/voltage control in Qspice; tune inner and outer loop compensators. Aligns with LO1 and LO3. |
5 | Day 3, Session 5: Three-Phase Inverter Digital Control — Space vector modulation (SVM), synchronous reference frame (dq) control, phase-locked loop (PLL), grid-tied and motor drive applications. | Simulink simulation of dq-controlled three-phase inverter with PLL; closed-loop grid current regulation exercise. Aligns with LO1 and LO3. |
6 | Day 3, Session 6: Fixed-Point Implementation — Fixed-point arithmetic, Q-format notation, scaling and overflow protection, implementation of digital controllers on DSP/microcontroller; anti-windup, dead-time compensation. | Fixed-point conversion exercise: implement a PI compensator in C with Q-format scaling; simulate anti-windup and dead-time effect. Aligns with LO2. |
7 | Day 4, Session 7: Motor Drive Digital Control — Field-oriented control (FOC) for PMSM and induction motors, current regulators in synchronous rotating frame, speed and torque control loop design. | Simulink FOC model for PMSM; design and tune speed/torque control loops. Aligns with LO3. |
8 | Day 4, Session 8: Capstone Review and Integration — Case studies (EV traction inverter, energy storage DC-DC, on-board charger); capstone exercise: complete digital control system design for an assigned converter. | Capstone exercise: full digital control design in MATLAB/Simulink; instructor debrief. Aligns with LO1, LO2, and LO3. |
Instructors
Erick Oberstar
Program Director
Dr. Oberstar is a Program Director with InterPro and has over 28 years of engineering and entrepreneurial experiences. At InterPro he manages programs for and teaches in the areas of AI/ML, Electrification, and Mechatronics. He has extensive experience in embedded real time control systems, signal and image processing, robotics, automation, medical devices. He managed the UW-Madison Mechatronics Laboratory for 22 years where he taught courses in mechatronics, manufacturing automation, automatic controls, and discrete time controls.
He has previous technical roles as a Scientist in the Department of Medical Physics at UW, consultant for St. Jude Medical, and electrical engineer for Orbital Technologies Corporation and Automation Components. His numerous entrepreneurial experiences include working on blood flow quantification, night vision, bacterial detection, robotics, automation, and general product development.
Dr. Oberstar has a Ph.D in Biomedical Engineering and MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering (WEMPEC) from UW-Madison, and a BS Electrical Engineering from UW-Platteville. He has over 30 publications with over 400 citations and three patents. Dr. Oberstar is a Wisconsin Professional Engineer, Harvey Spangler Award for Technology Enhanced Education winner and judge, as well as a SPIE member and senior member of IEEE.
Steven Fredette
Associate Teaching Professor
Fredette is an associate teaching professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at UW-Madison. He is interested in the design, simulation, modeling, controls, and development of power conversion systems for alternative energy (wind, solar PV, fuel cells) and industrial (HVAC, elevator, traction) applications. Fredette has delivered innovative, producible solutions to the industrial, aerospace, and alternative energy fields.
He has acquired a wide range of industrial experience through work for United Technologies, Vestas Technology R&D, and American Superconductor (AMSC). He has a PhD from UW-Madison.
Program Director
Erick Oberstar