Intermediate Power Electronics Power Converter Topologies, Modeling & Control
interpro.wisc.edu/RA00072See upcoming datesCourse Overview
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.
Who Should Attend
- 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.
Learning Outcomes
- Learn advanced converter topologies and control strategies for modern DC-DC and DC-AC applications.
- Apply modeling and simulation techniques to optimize power conversion systems for reliability and efficiency.
- Develop skills in component selection, circuit design, and thermal engineering for high-performance systems.
Course Outline
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.
Instructors
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
Weijun earned her Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut in 1993. She has an extensive background in creating electrical insulation materials and systems for various power generation and coversion applications, including electrical machines and drives, wires and cables, and transformers.
Prior to her retirement in September 2022, Dr. Yin held the position of Senior Principal Engineer at the GE Global Research Center in New York. There, she led the development of advanced electrical insulation systems tailored for high voltage and high power density electrical systems. She also served as the chair of SAE AE-11 and played a pivotal role in the recent publication of AIR 7374. Dr. Yin holds more than 30 US patents, alongside numerous patent applications.
Currently, Dr. Yin contributes her expertise as a consultant, focusing on the development and design of dielectric materials and electrical insulation systems for high voltage and high power density electrical systems.
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.
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 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.
Upcoming dates (1)
Intermediate Power Electronics Power Converter Topologies, Modeling & Control
Location: Madison, WI or Live Online
Course #: RA00072-E467
Fee: $1,995
interpro.wisc.edu/RA00072
Fee
- $1,995
Fee covers morning breaks, scheduled lunches, afternoon breaks, and course materials for the in-person attendees. Online Attendees fee includes course materials and live online instruction.
Discounts
The Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium, UW-Madison Member Discount: $200 off course fee. We will verify your affiliation.
When three or more sign up from same employer, your course fee is $1796 per person
Credits
- CEU: 2.4
- PDH: 24
Schedule
Registration Date/Time:
5/24/2027 07:30am Central Time
Event Dates/Times:
- 5/24/2027 8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
- 5/25/2027 8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
- 5/26/2027 8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
- 5/27/2027 8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
Course Notes
This is a HyFlex course: In-person and live online course that uses the Zoom and Canvas platforms.
The registration confirmation will guide students through accessing the Canvas course site.
Students will create and log in to the Canvas course site with a NetID. Course assets such as instructional materials, participation certificates, and course evaluations will be available to all students through the Canvas course site.
The course materials are all digital and only available on the Canvas course website.
Online attendees will access sessions via the Zoom web conferencing platform. The Zoom link will be provided a few days before the course.
Please watch the email address that you provide during registration for release dates and pre-course information.
Instructors
Steven Fredette, Erick Oberstar
Location
Accommodations
Room: rates start at $160
Accommodations include: Complimentary WiFi, Local/Airport Shuttle, Pool, and Fitness Center.
Accommodations include: Enjoy complimentary business center, WiFi and Local/Airport Shuttle. Each room has a refrigerator, microwave, 42-inch HDTV, and executive desk. Parking available $15/night.