525.726.81 - Applications of Power Electronics Design

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Design, Control, and Simulation of Switching Converters
• Averaged Switch and Discontinuous Conduction Mode Modeling
• DC/DC Converter Component Selection
• Power Electronics Circuit Board Layout Considerations
• Circuit Board Schematic Capture and Layout
• Basic Magnetics Theory
• Inductor Design
• Transformer Design
• Peak Current Mode Control
• Feedback Circuits and Gate Drivers
• Isolated Converter Considerations
• Snubber Circuits
• Thermal Analysis of Power Electronic Systems
• Design Project Presentation

Course Goals

The main goal of this course is for students to be able to confidently apply the fundamentals of power electronics to the design of practical DC/DC converters. This includes designing the power stage and controller of a DC/DC converter to meet given design requirements and verify the design through simulation and testing. The course is also intended to give students circuit board design and magnetics design experience. A final goal of this course is to introduce important practical design considerations for optimized DC/DC converters.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Complete conceptual design of closed-loop regulated DC/DC converter and verify performance through simulation.
• Collect and interpret experimental test data of switching converters.
• Select components for switching converters.
• Develop circuit board schematic and layout for switching converters.
• Design and optimize inductors and transformers for switching converters.
• Optimize the design of power converters to address controller response, voltage ringing, noise, and thermals.

Textbooks

Required

Erickson, R. W., & Maksimović, D. (2020). Fundamentals of Power Electronics (3rd ed.). Springer.

ISBN-10: 3030438791 ISBN-13: 978-3030438791

OR

Erickson, R. W., & Maksimović, D. (2001). Fundamentals of Power Electronics (2nd ed.). Kluwer Academic Publishers.

ISBN-10: 0792372700 ISBN-13: 978-0792372707

Textbook information for this course is available online through the appropriate bookstore website: For online courses, search the MBS website.

Optional

Sanjaya, M. (2012). Switching Power Supplies A-Z (2nd ed.). Elsevier S & T.

ISBN-10: 0123865336 ISBN-13: 978-0123865335

Required Software

LTspice

You will need access to a recent version of LTspice. This software can be downloaded for free here.

MATLAB

You will need access to a recent version of MATLAB. A license is provided at no cost to you, through JHU.

Visit the JHU IT Services Portal. Log in with your JHED ID and type “Matlab” in the search bar. Click on “Matlab for Students” in the search results and follow the instructions provided.

KiCad

You will need access to a recent version of KiCad. This software can be downloaded for free here.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 9–12 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the recommended sections of the text (approximately 1 hour per week), listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 2-3 hours per week), assignments (approximately 2–3 hours per week), and project milestones (4-5 hours per week). The course will be based off a 1,000 point grading system.

This course will consist of the following basic student requirements:

Discussion Topic Participation (10% of Final Grade Calculation)

There will be five Discussion Topics (Modules 1, 4, 6, 9, and 13), each worth 20 points. Post your initial response to the discussion questions by the end of that Module. Following up to interact with classmates is encouraged. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive.

I will monitor module discussions and will respond to some of the discussions as discussions are posted. In some instances, I will summarize the overall discussions and post the summary for the module.

Discussion Topic Participation is graded based on timeliness and critical thinking.

Weekly Quizzes (13% of Final Grade Calculation)

Each module (except Module 14) will have a quiz, each worth 10 points, with four multiple-choice questions based on content covered in the lectures. The quizzes must be completed by the end of the module. It is recommended that the quizzes be taken right after the lecture. Each quiz and each question are worth the same amount.

Assignments (20% of Final Grade Calculation)

There will be three assignments given, two of which will be experiment-based using the TI PMLKBUCKEVM board.

All assignments are due two weeks after they are assigned, according to the dates in the Calendar. Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors).

The first assignment is worth 60 points. The second and third assignments are worth 70 points. The assignment document will break down the points associated with each part.

The assignment document will give instructions on format of submission and required attachments.

Course Project (57% of Final Grade Calculation)

The course design project will be assigned during Module 2. The design project will have six milestones, most with required Peer Review touchpoints. The final presentation will be recorded and submitted by each student during Module 14.

Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors).

Each milestone document will break down the points associated with each task:

• Milestone 1: Power Stage and Controller Design (90 points) – includes Peer Review
• Milestone 2: Circuit Simulation and Component Selection (130 points) – includes Peer Review
• Milestone 3: Circuit Board Schematic and Layout (100 points) – includes Peer Review
• Milestone 4: Board Assembly and Bring-Up (120 points) – includes Peer Review
• Milestone 5: Design Verification (70 points) – includes Peer Review
• Milestone 6: Design Presentation and Documentation (60 points) 

The milestone document will give instructions on format of submission and required attachments.

Grading Policy

P uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10).

Course Evaluation

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in your Canvas course site. You may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. Grades will be posted within one week of assignment due dates.

I generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade.

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.