Unit POWER ELECTRONICS
- Course
- Electronic engineering
- Study-unit Code
- A005871
- Curriculum
- Industrial electronics
- Teacher
- Valentina Palazzi
- Teachers
-
- Valentina Palazzi
- Hours
- 72 ore - Valentina Palazzi
- CFU
- 9
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2025
- Offered
- 2025/26
- Learning activities
- Caratterizzante
- Area
- Ingegneria elettronica
- Academic discipline
- ING-INF/01
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- Italian
- Contents
- The course deals with the operating principles and design bases of power electronic circuits. The application of these circuits in complex systems is illustrated.
After an introduction dedicated to power devices (SCR, GaN FET, IGBT), the circuits for converting electrical energy between its two forms, specifically alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC), are described: this path constitutes the “fil rouge” of the teaching.
In particular, the following conversion circuits are presented: from AC to DC (rectifiers), from DC to DC (linear regulators and switching regulators) and from AC to AC (inverters and power amplifiers).
The teaching methods are based on: theoretical models, basic equations, design techniques and CAD examples. - Reference texts
- Daniel W. Hart, Power Electronics, McGraw Hill, 1st Edition, 2013.
N. Mohan, T. M. Undelabd, W. P. Robbins, Power Electronics, Converters, Applications and Design, 3rd edition, Wiley, 2002.
John G. Kassakian, et al, Principles of Power Electronics, 2nd Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2023. - Educational objectives
- This course presents the fundamental concepts of power electronics such as: power devices, rectifiers and controlled rectifiers, voltage multipliers, linear regulators, switching regulators, inverters and power amplifiers.
All the topics are covered starting from physics and circuit theory, with the following objectives: knowing the basic theoretical models of power devices and circuits, learning the circuit analysis techniques and design methods.
KNOWLEDGE
1) Know the main specifications and basic models of power devices (diodes and transistors) and heat dissipation devices
2) Know the main architectures of power circuits.
3) Know the control and regulation techniques of power systems; develop an overall vision of the subject.
SKILLS
a) Know how to identify the specifications and design constraints that determine the sizing of power electronic circuits.
b) Know how to analyze and design the main circuit building blocks used in electrical energy conversion systems.
c) Consolidate skills related to the use of circuit simulation software, and know how to apply them to realistic projects (CAD). - Prerequisites
- To understand and apply the techniques described in the course, it is necessary to have passed the electronics exams of the three-year degree. Some topics in the program require knowledge of Fourier and Laplace series and transforms, as well as mathematical analysis skills. These prerequisites are essential for the student who wants to follow the course profitably.
Students self-assess the prerequisites through a test on unistudium. Teachers recommend personalized review activities based on the results of the test. - Teaching methods
- The course is based on the following teaching methods:
1) lectures (physical principles, theoretical models and design methods);
2) CAD exercises (students will get a free annual license of the Keysight ADS software to install on their devices; teachers will perform live CAD sessions, addressing the main aspects related to the simulation and design of power circuits) - Other information
- Attendance at lectures is recommended.
Location: Department of Engineering, via G. Duranti 93, Perugia. Lecture rooms in accordance with the course schedule.
Reception: via Teams platform, by appointment (email to the institutional addresses of the teachers). - Learning verification modality
- The exam includes an oral exam or the presentation of a technical paper and a reduced oral exam.
The oral exam is a discussion of about 30 minutes aimed at ascertaining the level of knowledge and understanding achieved by the student in relation to the theoretical, methodological and applicative contents of the program. The communication skills and the student's command of language will also be assessed. Specifically, the oral exam consists of 3 questions and the resulting insights.
The presentation of the technical paper is based on the discussion of a case study proposed by the teacher and typically relating to the design of power electronic circuits using CAD. The technical paper can be done individually or in groups and is subject to part of the oral exam (2 questions out of 3). The discussion can make use of a presentation using slides (about 10) and includes the request for theoretical insights and detailed clarifications by the members of the commission. During this test, the student's technical knowledge and understanding of the subject will be assessed, as well as his/her ability to apply the acquired skills, to develop original solutions, and his/her command of language and synthesis. - Extended program
- 1) POWER DEVICES. Diodes and transistors as switches; parasitic elements: off capacitance, on resistance, package inductance. Controlled diodes (SCR and TRIAC), operating regions, elementary models, actuation methods. GaN FET, specificity, operating regions, elementary models. IGBT, specificity, operating regions, elementary models. Maximum ratings, thermal budget, heat sinks. Static and dynamic load line (curve). Relationship between breakdown voltage and cut-off frequency.
2) AC-DC CONVERSION. Single-phase and three-phase rectifiers. Single and double half-wave rectifiers with resistive load, RL and RC. Controlled rectifiers with SCR and TRIAC. Voltage multipliers.
3) DC-DC CONVERSION. Linear regulators: series regulators, examples. Switching regulators: buck, boost, buck-boost, Cuk; models and design criteria; examples. Isolated regulators: Flyback converter, Forward Converter, Push-Pull, power factor corrector. Power MOS drivers for switching regulators: low-side and high-side. Control architectures, current sense, stability and relationship with the duty cycle.
4) DC-AC CONVERSION. Inverters and power amplifiers. Basic inverter architectures: oscillators and transformers, H-bridges and PWM. Basic power amplifier architectures: full-wave, harmonic and amplitude control, pulse-width modulated inverters. Amplifiers with transistors used as switches: classes D, E, F. Design criteria: device limits, dynamic load curve, harmonic termination, optimal load impedance.
5) CAD EXERCISES. Use of the ADS simulator to model power circuits.