Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description Conventional sources of energy based on fossil fuels are being replaced by renewable sources of energy. These sources of energy are variable. Hence, accompanying circuitry is required to regulate their output. Furthermore, the Internet of Things relies on power management solutions to efficiently handle the power requirements of sensors and internet-connected devices. Both these aims can be achieved through the application of power electronics. The aim of this module is to impart an introductory understanding of power electronics and, working from first principles, to introduce the techniques of analysis and design of power semiconductor-controlled circuits and systems. The semiconductor devices are assumed ideal, thus allowing the focus of attention to be on the energy converter topologies used and their application. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. analyse and design an uncontrolled rectifier and controlled rectifier. 2. analyse and design non-isolated DC-DC converters e.g. switched mode power supplies. 3. analyse and design isolated DC-DC converters e.g. transformer-based isolation. 4. analyse and design AC inverters. 5. use appropriate software tools to simulate power electronic circuits. 6. analyse the behavior of nonlinear mathematical descriptions that are common to power electronic circuits in order to design appropriate controllers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
POWER ELECTRONICS SYSTEM SOFTWARE TOOLS Introduction to software to model, simulate and analyse nonlinear ordinary differential equations used to model power electronic circuits. ISOLATED AND NON-ISOLATED DC-DC CONVERTERS What are DC-DC converters? What are the advantages, disadvantages, and justification for selecting non-isolated DC-DC converters or isolated DC-DC converters? How do different circuit topologies operate? What are the expected waveforms produced by these circuits? How to derive nonlinear ODEs to model the system. How to design DC-DC converters to meet design criteria such as voltage ripple or current ripple. How can the nonlinear ODEs be linearised so that classical control theory techniques can be applied? What effect do nonidealities have on the performance of the system? SINGLE PHASE RECTIFIERS Why do AC signals need to be rectified? What circuits can be employed to achieve this? What are the expected waveforms of the signals? What effect do different loads have on the waveforms? How can the shape of the output waveform be controlled? How to analyse different circuit setups and determine the power factor? INVERTERS What applications would require an inverter? What circuits can be employed to invert a DC signal? What waveforms are produced from different topologies? What considerations must be made when designing an inverter? How do engineers analyse an inverter to assess if it meets the specification? How to design an inverter to reduce the effects of harmonics? Why harmonics are a consideration in the AC grid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
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