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195 reviews

Dr. Robert Erickson

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Part of the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree

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University of Colorado Boulder

About this Course

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This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5701, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.
This course introduces more advanced concepts of switched-mode converter circuits. Realization of the power semiconductors in inverters or in converters having bidirectional power flow is explained. Power diodes, power MOSFETs, and IGBTs are explained, along with the origins of their switching times. Equivalent circuit models are refined to include the effects of switching loss. The discontinuous conduction mode is described and analyzed. A number of well-known converter circuit topologies are explored, including those with transformer isolation.

The homework assignments include a boost converter and an H-bridge inverter used in a grid-interfaced solar inverter system, as well as transformer-isolated forward and flyback converters.

After completing this course, you will:
●  Understand how to implement the power semiconductor devices in a switching converter
●  Understand the origins of the discontinuous conduction mode and be able to solve converters operating in DCM
●  Understand the basic dc-dc converter and dc-ac inverter circuits
●  Understand how to implement transformer isolation in a dc-dc converter, including the popular forward and flyback converter topologies

Completion of the first course Introduction to Power Electronics is the assumed prerequisite for this course.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 19 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

What you will learn

Understand how to implement the power semiconductor devices in a switching converter

Understand the origins of the discontinuous conduction mode and be able to solve converters operating in DCM

Understand the basic dc-dc converter and dc-ac inverter circuits

Understand how to implement transformer isolation in a dc-dc converter, including the popular forward and flyback converter topologies

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 19 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.79/5 (110 Ratings)

Dr. Robert Erickson

Professor

Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering

110,644 Learners

11 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

CU-Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.

Start working towards your Master's degree

This course is part of the 100% online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted to the full program, your courses count towards your degree learning.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating95%(1,604 ratings)

Week

Week 1

5 hours to complete

Ch 4.1: Switch Realization

How to implement the switches using transistors and diodes, including applications having bidirectional power flow or ac outputs.

5 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 51 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

Week

Week 2

5 hours to complete

Ch 4.2: Power Semiconductor Switches

Basics of power semiconductor switches, including the origins of switching times and switching loss. How to incorporate switching loss into equivalent circuit models. MOSFETs, IGBTs, and gate driver considerations.

5 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 202 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

11 videos

Sect. 4.2.0 Introduction to Power Semiconductors27m

Sect. 4.2.1.1 Diode Rectifiers20m

Sect. 4.2.1.2 Equivalent Circuit Modeling of Switching Loss16m

Sect. 4.2.1.3 Boost Converter Example11m

Sect. 4.2.1.4 More About Rectifiers20m

Sect. 4.2.2.1 Power MOSFETs18m

Sect. 4.2.2.2 MOSFET Gate Drivers27m

Sect. 4.2.3 BJTs and IGBTs25m

Sect. 4.3 More About Switching Loss6m

Wide Bandgap Power Semiconductors14m

Simulation of a Synchronous Boost Converter13m

2 readings

LTspice File: Synchronous Boost Converter1m

Hard copy and zip file for simulation assignment1m

1 practice exercise

Homework Assignment #2: Simulation1h 30m

Week

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Ch 5: Discontinuous Conduction Mode

The discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) arising from unidirectional switch realization. Analysis of mode boundaries and output voltage.

4 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 50 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Week

Week 4

5 hours to complete

Ch 6: Converter Circuits

Some well-known converter circuits and their origins. How to incorporate transformer isolation into a dc-dc converter. Analysis and equivalent circuit modeling of transformer-isolated converters.

5 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 91 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Reviews

4.8

195 reviews

5 stars
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4 stars
11.12%
3 stars
1.31%
2 stars
0.40%
1 star
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TOP REVIEWS FROM CONVERTER CIRCUITS

by FANov 25, 2016

Aim to complete this specialization course. My interest and work both aligns perfectly with this course, and its immensely helping me out.

by SSSep 7, 2017

Professor is concise and clear. Problems are challenging and what you learn in this course is excellent and directly applicable to real work design work.

by PSOct 20, 2019

Very good course. In order to complete assignments, one should genuinely work. Will get too know much better about converters.

by SVMar 28, 2019

Great course, well presented. Goes over basics and the HW is complex and interesting enough to keep you hooked. Hope the rest of the series is like this as well

View all reviews

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Converter Circuits