ADVANCED CIRCUIT ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

The course introduces to the fundamentals of circuit simulation and the application of artificial intelligence for sustainable energy transition.

Knowledge and understanding

Basic knowledge of simulation-oriented circuit equation formulation and solution of linear and nonlinear circuits.
Basic knowledge of circuit simulators and artificial intelligence techniques.
Basic understanding of problems in circuit simulation and its combination with artificial intelligence.

Applying knowledge and understanding

The students will be able to properly use circuit simulators and artificial intelligence techniques for optimal circuit design and sustainable energy transition.

Making judgements

The students will be able to choose the simulation and artificial intelligence technique suitable for their application.

Communication skills

The student will learn the technical language of circuit simulation and artificial intelligence. The course includes seminars that allow interaction between students and experts from the industrial fields.

Learning skills

The student will acquire the fundamentals necessary to understand more complex circuit simulation and artificial intelligence topics not covered in the course. This ability will be refined through participation in seminars whose understanding requires the knowledge and understanding of the topics covered by the course.

Classroom lectures. CAD laboratory.

Knowledge of the basics of Linear Algebra, Foundations of Computer Science and Electrotechnics.

Class attendance is highly recommended.

T1 - Overview on Circuit Simulation

Device equations. Equation Formulation. Solution Techniques. Nonlinear Circuits. Dynamic Circuits. Simulation flow of non-linear dynamic circuits.

T2 - Solution of Linear Algebraic Circuit Equations

Reduced Sparse Tableau and Nodal Analysis: from node-based to component-based approach. Modified Nodal Analysis: component-based approach. Reachability matrix for circuits and network analysis. Unique Solvability.

T3 - Solution of Nonlinear Algebraic Circuit Equations

Nonlinear Elements. Nonlinear Modified Nodal Analysis Formulation. Introduction to Nonlinear DC Analysis. Introduction to Newton’s Method. The One-Dimensional Case. Overview of the Multidimensional Case. Basic notes on Quasi-Newton Methods. Overcoming Newton’s Methods in Nonlinear Circuit Simulation. Companion Models. Basic notes on Load Flow equations.

T4 - Solution of Nonlinear Differential Circuit Equations

Dynamic Elements. Dynamic Modified Nodal Analysis Formulation. Basic notes on Solution Methods. Discretization in Circuit Equations: Companion Models. Companion Models for Nonlinear Dynamic Elements. Industrial application for optimal design.

L1 - Circuit modelling and simulation

Spice-like simulators and Spice netlists. SIMetrix circuit simulator.

Spice modelling of power electronics devices: application to the Silicon Carbide MOSFET.

Simscape circuit simulator. Interaction with MATLAB for parametric circuits analysis. Integration of Spice netlists in Simscape. Simscape Specialized Power Systems: Load Flow Analyzer.

L2 - Artificial intelligence for sustainable green energy transition

Basic notes on stochastic and deterministic optimization. MATLAB Optimization Toolbox. Circuit and network optimization.

Basic notes on artificial neural networks. Artificial neural networks in MATLAB. Artificial neural network applications for renewables and batteries.

Overview of artificial intelligence applications for sustainable green energy transition. Sustainability of artificial intelligence.

Contribution of the course to the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The course covers topics and provides knowledge and skills that are directly or indirectly consistent with the following goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development:

Goal 4 – Quality Education

Goal 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy

Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

Goal 13 – Climate Action

(1) Farid N. Najm, “Circuit Simulation”, John Wiley & Sons, 2010.

(2) Slides projected during the lessons (available in Studium).

(3) Additional documentation (available in Studium).

(4) Ian Goodfellow, Yoshua Bengio and Aaron Courville, “Deep Learning”, MIT Press, 2016.

Oral exam that consists of:

 

1 or 2 questions about the theory (T in “Detailed Course Content”)

AND

Option a) 1 question about CAD laboratory (L in “Detailed Course Content”)

Option b)  discussion of a CAD lab (L) activity assigned during the course

 

The students should use a laptop in both cases.

 

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata - Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department.

A list of typical questions is available on Studium.