Electrical Engineering Fundamentals for the Non-Electrical Engineer - Circuits Through Embedded Systems

This course introduces mechanical engineers, technicians, and engineering leaders to the core principles of electrical engineering, from basic circuits to embedded systems and digital control. Through practical examples and system-level thinking, participants will explore sensors, actuators, microcontrollers, power conversion, and control strategies. Whether you're transitioning into electrified systems or collaborating across disciplines, this course builds the fluency needed to engage in modern product and system development.

• Mechanical and systems engineers transitioning into roles involving embedded or electrical systems.
• Engineering managers and project leaders overseeing multidisciplinary teams or electrification initiatives.
• Technicians and senior engineers seeking foundational knowledge in electrical and mechatronic systems.

This course is part of the Electrified Systems Certificate series. Course may be taken individually as well.

Introduction

• Architecture
• Sensors
• Actuators
• Application Layer
• Hardware Abstraction Layer
• Controller

Electrical Circuits Fundamentals

• Circuit Theory
• Power Laws
• Energy Storage Components
• Microcontrollers and Microprocessors
  • Digital Building Blocks (Latches)
  • Peripherals
  • Computational Capabilities
  • Interrupts and Timers
  • Software
  Interface Circuitry
  
  • Power Distribution and Wiring
  • Analog I/O A/D, D/A Conversion and Signal Conditioning
  • Digital I/O
  • Serial Comms and Wiring

Digital Embedded Systems

• Sensors
• Actuators
• Interface Circuitry
• A/D, D/A Conversion and Delta-Sigma Modulation
• Interrupts and Timers
• Serial Comms
• Microcontrollers and Microprocessors

Electrical Power Systems

• Power Components (MOSFETs/IGBT/SCR)
• AC-DC converters (rectifiers)
• DC-DC converters: Buck/Boost
• DC-AC converters (Inverters) - AC power and motor drives
• AC-AC converters (transformers)
• Solar converters (photovoltaic conversion)
• Energy Storage Elements (batteries/super capacitors)
• Thermal Management

Digital Control Systems

• Architecture
• Sequential Logic
• Closed-Loop (Feedback Control)
• Feedback Control Actions (P, I, D)
• Combined Sequential Logic (Supervisory Control of Subsystems and Scheduling)
• Feedforward Control (Structure and Uses)
• Sensor Abstraction (Machine to Physical)
• Digital Filtering
• Actuator Abstraction (Physical to Machine)

Blake Suhre

Blake Suhre is Program Director, Power Engineering in Interdisciplinary Professional Programs (InterPro) at UW-Madison. He has over 30 years of experience in many aspects of vehicle and powertrain systems, engine systems, and controls development. He was involved in the initial development of model-based controls for internal combustion engines and has experience applying these techniques to all varieties of combustion system in use today. He was co-founder of the MotoTron Corporation and has held a variety of leadership roles in engine systems development and R&D. Suhre holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Erick Oberstar

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 deep 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 dept. of Medical Physics at UW, consultant for St. Jude Medical, and electrical engineer for Orbital Technologies Corporation, and Automation Components. In addition, he has numerous entrepreneurial experiences working on blood flow quantification, night vision, bacterial detection, robotics, automation, and general product development. 

Dr. Oberstar has a Ph.D in Biomedical Engr., and MS in Electrical and Computer Engr. (WEMPEC) from U.W. – Madison, and a BS Electrical Engr. from U.W. – Platteville. He has over 30 publications with over 400 citations & 3 patents. Dr. Oberstar is a WI Professional Engineer, Harvey Spangler Award for Technology Enhanced Education winner & judge, as well as a SPIE member & senior member of IEEE