After explaining in detail the operation of the basic power converter schemes, by providing proper and solid theoretical background, the course describes the design techniques and trade-offs of integrated switched-mode DC-DC converters and offers to the student an industrial-oriented perspective of the covered topics. The described circuits, design techniques, and critical issues are the basis of integrated power management systems, nowadays widely used in almost all the electronics market segments. At the end of the course, the student will have learnt the basic power converter schemes (both continuous-time and switched-mode, both inductive and inductor-less) operation, how to control them for different applications, and the design and layout techniques specific for power converter applications.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of circuit theory and electronics is absolutely necessary. Moreover, to effectively follow the course, basic knowledge of the MOS transistor theory, of integrated devices and of CMOS technologies is required, although along the course most of these concepts will be recalled.
Teaching Methods
Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 48 Lectures use electronic presentations, supported by additional explanations and numerical examples at the blackboard.
Assessment Methods
The final exam consists of an oral discussion and the final remark is expressed on a scale of 30.
Texts
R.W. Erickson, and D. Maksimovic, “Fundamentals of Power Electronics”, Kluwer Academic Publisher
Contents
- Introduction to power electronics and definitions of the most common specifications and figures of merit - Continuous-time basic topologies: low-drop out (LDO) circuits - Inductive switched-mode basic topologies: buck, boost, buck-boost, and cuk converters - Switched-capacitor circuits - Discrete passive components: optimal selection, derating, and practical problems - Integrated passive components: optimal selection, and practical implementation problems - Integrated devices commonly used in power converters: MOS and IGBT - Technologies for integrated power converters and their parasitic elements - The Miller plateau and capacitor bootstrapping techniques - Gate driver circuits - Variable and fixed frequency control loops - Voltage and current mode control loops - Resonant converters with hard and soft switching approach - Isolated power converters
