Module-Based Laboratory Course for the Industry Sponsored “Research and Design Master Program” in Power Electronics

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to present a developed modular laboratory course for the industry sponsored "Research and Design Master Program" in power electronics. The objective of this modular laboratory course is for students to (i) Appreciate the theory of power converter with the aid of the state-of-art simulation tools, (ii) Derive the converter model and design the controller, (iii) Understand the magnetic components, (iv) Comprehend the closed-loop control of power converter, and confirm the modeling and controller design, (v) Realize the power converters by PCB layout, magnetic components implementation and debug. Therefore, this modular laboratory course is expected to bring the industry sponsored "Research and Design Master Program" students both systematic learning and hands-on experience. This module-based laboratory course is designed mainly by considering the application of magnetic components to power converters. The designed course modules include (i) Forward converter module for inductor and transformer with center-tapped winding, (ii) Flyback converter module for transformer with air-gap acting as inductor and transformer, (iii) Push-pull converter module for transformer with center-tapped winding and (iv) Half or Full-bridge converter module for driver transformer. The controller design for each module with closed-loop control is included. The designed laboratory course has been given for years and some assessment results will be illustrated. The feedback from the students indicates that this designed modular course receives excellent acknowledgment for providing practical training and covering the wide range of magnetic components as well as controller design in power converter learning.INDEX TERMS Modular laboratory course, modeling and controller design, power converter, R & D master program, state-of-art simulation tools.