Intermediate Power Electronics Power Converter Topologies, Modeling & Control

Explore cutting-edge advancements in power electronics, including DC-DC, DC-AC, and AC-DC converter topologies and their operational principles. Participants will delve into detailed modeling and control methods, gain proficiency in simulation exercises, and learn techniques for integrating reliable devices and systems. Real-world case studies and interactive sessions ensure practical application, fostering a deep understanding of both foundational and advanced concepts.

• Electrical engineers and software engineers aiming to enhance their expertise in power electronics.
• Professionals working on applications in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and precision motion control.
• Engineering managers and designers seeking to understand power conversion system integration and optimization.

Day 1

Session 01: Future Trends and Applications of Power Electronics Technology

Key trends driving size reductions and efficiency improvements.

Session 02: Rectifiers

Applications and types of rectifiers, focusing on the electric vehicle industry.

Session 03: Single Phase Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)

Introduction to PWM algorithms for DC and single-phase AC applications.

Session 04: DC to DC Converters (Part 1)

Basic principles, including buck and boost converters, interleaving, and bi-directional power flow.

Session 05: DC to DC Converters (Part 2)

Advanced DC-DC converter concepts, including flyback and isolated topologies.

Day 2

Session 06: DC to DC Converters (Part 3) – Modeling & Simulation

Average and switching models for DC-DC converters, with simulation exercises.

Session 07: DC to AC Inverters (Part 1)

Fundamental topologies for single-phase and three-phase AC waveform generation.

Session 08: Three Phase Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)

PWM strategies for three-phase applications, with harmonic analysis.

Session 09: DC to AC Inverters (Part 2) – Multilevel

Overview of multilevel inverters, modulation techniques, and harmonic performance.

Session 10: DC to AC Inverters (Part 3) – Simulation & Advanced Topics

Advanced topics in AC/DC and DC/AC converters for DC motors and three-phase loads.

Day 3

Session 11: Switching Transistors for Power Electronics

Differentiate between switching transistor technologies and optimize their performance in power converter designs.

Session 12: Gate Drive for Power Transistors

Design and optimize gate drive circuits considering power stage requirements and isolation technologies.

Session 13: PCB Layout for Gate-Drive Circuits

Apply PCB layout principles to minimize inductance, improve EMI performance, and enhance reliability of gate-drive circuits.

Session 14: PCB Layout for Power Transistors

Design PCB layouts to optimize thermal and electrical performance in power transistor applications.

Day 4

Session 15: Thermal Engineering Practice for Power Electronics

Basics of thermal design, conduction/switching losses, and cooling methods.

Session 16: Insulation Design

Electrical insulation materials, standards, and failure mechanisms in applications.

Session 17: Reliability Engineering for Power Electronics

Reliability concepts, failure mechanisms, and accelerated testing for power electronics. 

Session 18: Course Review & Roundtable Wrap-up

Summary and interactive roundtable discussion to consolidate learning.

Steven Fredette

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.

Thomas Jahns

Dr. Thomas M. Jahns received his bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees from MIT, all in electrical engineering.

Dr. Jahns joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.  He served for 14 years as a Co-Director of the Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium (WEMPEC), a world-renowned university/industry consortium in the electrical power engineering field.  Since 2021, he is the Grainger Emeritus Professor of Power Electronics and Electrical Machines.

Prior to coming to UW-Madison, Dr. Jahns worked at GE Corporate Research and Development (now GE Global Research) in Niskayuna, NY, for 15 years, where he pursued new power electronics and motor drive technology in a variety of research and management positions. His current research interests at UW-Madison include integrated motor drives and electrified propulsion for both land vehicles and aircraft.

Dr. Jahns is a Fellow of IEEE.  He received the 2005 IEEE Nikola Tesla Technical Field Award “for pioneering contributions to the design and application of AC permanent magnet machines”.  Dr. Jahns is a Past President of the IEEE Power Electronics Society.  He was elected to the US National Academy of Engineering in 2015 and received the IEEE Medal in Power Engineering in 2022.

Weijun Yin

Eric Persson

Eric Persson is Executive Director of GaN Applications Engineering at Infineon Technologies. He is a semiconductor industry veteran with 15 years at International Rectifier, and a hands-on power electronic design engineer for 20 years before that. He has presented more than 70 seminars, tutorials and short courses on power electronics at various conferences and Universities around the world.