Mastering Power Electronics using PLECS simulations

Power electronics theory and simulation

This course is a combination of theoretical lectures and simulation-based examples. The theoretical part focuses on developing a clear understanding of power electronics principles, converter operation, and analytical concepts, while the simulation part complements this understanding through practical implementation.

Simulation plays a crucial role in power electronics because it enables the analysis of complex converter topologies, evaluation of different operating scenarios, and design verification without relying on physical prototypes. It effectively serves as a virtual laboratory for exploring converter behavior. In this course, PLECS is used as the primary simulation tool. With its Simulink-like interface, PLECS allows efficient modeling and visualization of power converter topologies, helping bridge the gap between theoretical analysis and practical insight into converter operation.

Section 1: Introduction to Power Electronics (Theory)

• Introduction to Power Electronics

• Review: KCL, KVL, rms, instantaneous, average power, and power factor

Section 2: Introduction to PLECS Simulation Software

• Installation of Plexim PLECS

• Introduction to PLECS software: interface, building model, and scope basics

• PLECS help documentation and demo models

• First electrical circuit in PLECS

• Using PLECS schematic and waveform in report

• Exporting waveform as CSV data and importing in Matlab for plotting

• Fourier spectrum of a waveform

• Average and rms value

• The hold trace option for tuning a parameter

• Introduction to PLECS Blockset

• Modeling of mechanical systems (optional)

Section 3: Simulation Script, JSON-RPC in MATLAB, and XML-RPC in Python

• Introduction to Octave Console

• Simulation Scripts environment

• Evaluating parameters and exporting and importing CSV files

• Holding scope trace using simulation script

• JSON-RPC in MATLAB for automating PLECS simulation

• XML-RPC in Python for automating PLECS simulation

Section 3: Introduction to AC-DC Converters (Theory)

• Half wave diode rectifier R and RL load (Theory)

• Full-wave diode rectifiers, the bridge and center-tapped (Theory)

• Half and full-wave rectifiers with C filter and source inductance (Theory)

• Introduction to SCR and single-phase, half-wave controlled rectifier (Theory)

• Introduction to single-phase controlled rectifier (Theory)

• Fourier analysis and effect of source reactance in single-phase SCR rectifier (Theory)

• Three-phase half-wave diode rectifier (Theory)

• Introduction to three-phase bridge/full-wave diode rectifier (Theory)

• Introduction to three-phase half-wave controlled rectifier (Theory)

• Introduction to three-phase bridge controlled rectifier (Theory)

• Effect of source inductance in three-phase controlled rectifier (Theory)

Section 4: Simulation of AC-DC Converters

• Creating model of half-wave diode rectifier simulation in PLECS

• Analysis of half-wave diode rectifier with resistive load in PLECS

• Analyzing the effect of inductive load on the half-wave rectifier in PLECS

• Introduction to rectifier hardware trainer and analyzing results with PLECS

• Single-phase full-wave diode rectifier simulation in PLECS

• Simulation of half and full-wave controlled rectifier with resistive load in PLECS

Section 5: C Programming in Plecs: The C-script

• Introduction to C-script block

• Using parameters in C-script block

• Multiplexed inputs to C-script block

Section 6: Introduction to DC-DC converters

• Introduction to DC-DC buck converter and implementation in Plecs

• Introduction to pulse-width modulation

• Design of a DC-DC buck converter

• Frequency response using impulse response analysis in Plecs

• Designing a feedback controller for a Buck converter

• The transfer function of converter using system identification

• Digital control for Buck converter

Section 7: DC-AC converters

• Half and full-bridge Inverter simulation in Plecs

• Quazi Square Wave or Three level Inverter or Phase-shift modulation

• Sinusoidal pulse-width modulation

• Bipolar and Unipolar SPWM

• Full-bridge inverter with series resonant networks

• Gain gain characteristics curve of resonant inverter using simulation script

• Full-bridge inverter with parallel resonant network

• Three phase bridge inverter in 180 degree and 120 degree conduction mode

Section 8: Texas instruments TI C2000 Microcontroller programming using Plecs

• Introduction to TI C2000 microcontroller

• Blink Led Using GPIO

• GPIO in input and output mode

• Pulse width modulation (PWM) using C2000 mcu, External mode operation

• TI C2000 DAC and ADC

• Offline simulation of TI C2000 controlling power converter

• Offline simulation of digital control of the Buck converter