Back to Converter Circuits
University of Colorado Boulder

Converter Circuits

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.

Status: Simulation and Simulation Software
Status: Electrical Engineering
IntermediateCourse19 hours

Featured reviews

AK

5.0Reviewed May 7, 2019

The 2nd course in the specialization is more detailed and explained thoroughly. Tough quizzes, great assignments! And Dr. Robert Erickson is amazing as usual!

AG

5.0Reviewed May 22, 2020

A really good course on converter circuits. The way Dr. Erickson synthesized inverters from buck converters was eye opening. Many lectures overlook such basic aspects of power electronics synthesis.

FA

5.0Reviewed Nov 25, 2016

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

AR

5.0Reviewed Jan 13, 2017

Very helpful course. This course has helped me in getting a good insight into Power Electronics. Thanks alot Dr. Robert Erickson.

MQ

5.0Reviewed Jan 30, 2021

A real Hard Course designed for professional people. If you are good in Circuits, do come, but if you are weak... You may Get in TROUBLE!!!!

TS

5.0Reviewed Apr 5, 2019

This is very awesome course which had cleared my concept and it's assignment had helped me out to implement theory while design related problems. Thank you so much Coursera and Prof.

LM

5.0Reviewed Jul 28, 2018

Course materials are clearly explained. While the quizzes are really tough, they help you consolidate all the learning you have done.

SA

5.0Reviewed Jun 19, 2020

The course was very helpful especially the Switch Realization part. It will be good it was told how to find the area of a waveform in LTspice.

GG

5.0Reviewed Feb 17, 2020

It was a bit complicated that part 1 of this course, but now i understand a lot of thing about converters. I'm going to the next one!

LB

5.0Reviewed Apr 11, 2018

Very interesting course. All these dynamics involving converters are awesome. Congratulations for the course. Now heading for course 3. Thanks a lot.

SP

5.0Reviewed Apr 12, 2016

This course was very knowledgeable. I found a great opportunity and a platform to learn something. Everything was awesome. And, I learned a lot.

AH

4.0Reviewed Jan 17, 2023

The course is a good one . It helps me know different types of converter circuits . Also I have known different power electronics circuits .

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