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ECE 4224 - Power Electronics (3C)

Course Description

Switching power converter operation and design; modeling of power converters; power components including power semiconductor devices, inductors, and transformers; control of power converters; select power converter topology for applications such as renewable energy, electric transportation, and telecommunications.

Why take this course?

As the enabling technology for most of the electrical and electronics industry, power electronics is a rapidly expanding field. Growing and emerging applications such as information and telecommunications, electrified transportation, renewable energy systems, industrial automation, and advanced transmission and distribution systems are increasing the demand for power electronics engineers. The new EE major on Energy and Power Electronics Systems will give students the background needed to be successful in these high-demand areas. ECE 4224 is the primary power electronics course in the EE Energy and Power Electronics Systems major. It is the principal source of power electronics education in the ECE undergraduate curriculum.

Learning Objectives

  • 1. Analyze basic operation of switching power converters;
  • 2. Simulate detailed, average, and small-signal operation of power converters;
  • 3. Use steady-state, average, and small-signal models of pulse width modulation switch in power converter analysis and design;
  • 4. Design of converter power stage for steady-state specifications;
  • 5. Design feedback controller of converters for dynamic specifications;
  • 6. Design inductors and transformers for high-frequency power converters;
  • 7. Select a converter topology for a given application.