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Application of Information Technology Tools in Teaching the Course and Laboratory of Power Electronics

Shuhui Li and Rajab Challoo

Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Texas A&M University – Kingsville Kingsville, TX 78363

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the application of information technology (IT) tools in teaching the course of Power Electronics at Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK). It illustrates the usage of the power-pole and average models in the teaching so as to be able to introduce broad power electronic converter topologies. It shows the development of a new power electronics laboratory by using modern computer IT tools. It presents how PSpice simulation is used as a virtual hardware laboratory tool to teach different converter topologies and feedback control design and analysis. Mathcad is shown in the paper as another valuable IT tool for teaching the theoretical background and design issues related to power electronic converters and feedback controls. The paper illustrates the application of web-based course materials to assist students’ understanding of basic operating principles and properties of power electronic converters. It gives PSpice, Mathcad, MATLAB Simulink, dSPACE ControlDesk, OpenChoice and Microsoft Excel software and/or hardware used in both the teaching and laboratory development for the course.

I. INTRODUCTION

In recent years, the field of power electronics has witnessed extraordinary research and teaching growth worldwide, emerging as a specialization in electrical engineering. This growth is due to expanding market demand for power electronic circuits for the energy conversion process. The need for power electronics engineers equipped with knowledge of new energy conversion technologies has never been greater. However, because of the breath of the field of power electronics, teaching this subject to undergraduate students is a challenge.

As it is known, computers and microprocessors have changed the field of traditional electrical engineering a lot. They are also changing the traditional teaching styles in high education. When digital computers or microprocessors as well as various software and hardware are used in classrooms and/or laboratories, it can provide a much more effective and efficient way in teaching and learning, and make a lot of mathematics related to engineering problems much easier to understand. This is also true for teaching the course of Power Electronics.

Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education

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Challoo, R., & Li, S. (2005, June), Application Of Information Technology Tools In Teaching The Course And Laboratory Of Power Electronics Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--14273