Circuit Models and Simulation of Power Devices

The course introduces, in the context of power devices and boards, the fundamentals of circuit modelling and simulation, and electromagnetic compatibility. The course also introduces artificial intelligence tools for power electronics applications.

Knowledge and understanding

Basic knowledge of simulation-oriented circuit equation formulation and solution, considering from linear and a-dynamic circuits to nonlinear dynamic circuits.
Basic understanding of problems in circuit modelling and simulation of power devices and boards.

Basic understanding of electromagnetic compatibility issues in power devices and boards.

Basic knowledge of electromagnetic and circuit simulators used in industry, and artificial intelligence techniques.
Basic understanding of artificial intelligence’s application in power circuits.

Applying knowledge and understanding

The students will be able to develop and improve circuit models of power devices and boards, as well as utilise circuit simulators, simulators for extracting parasitic components, and artificial intelligence tools. Moreover, they will understand how to properly combine them.

Making judgements

The students will be able to choose the circuit model, simulation tool, and artificial intelligence technique most suitable for their application.

Communication skills

The student will learn the technical language of circuit modelling of power devices and boards, circuit simulation, electromagnetic compatibility and artificial intelligence. The course includes seminars allowing interaction between students and experts from the industry.

Learning skills

The student will acquire the fundamentals necessary to understand more complex topics on power devices and boards, as well as on artificial intelligence applications, 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, Electrotechnics, and Antennas and Radiopropagation.

Class attendance is highly recommended.

T1 - Overview on Circuit Simulation

Device equations. Equation Formulation. Solution Techniques.  Reduced Sparse Tableau and Nodal Analysis: from node-based to component-based approach. Modified Nodal Analysis: component-based approach. Reachability matrix for circuits analysis. Unique Solvability. Introduction to Nonlinear Circuits. Introduction to Dynamic Circuits. Simulation flow of non-linear dynamic circuits.

T2 - 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 of Quasi-Newton Methods. Overcoming Newton’s Methods in Nonlinear Circuit Simulation. Companion Models.

T3 - 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.

T4 - Circuit models of power devices

Depletion-mode and enhancement-mode transistors. Introduction to wide-bandgap devices. The behavioural circuit: comparison of Si, SiC and GaN characteristics curves. Modelling of nonlinear components. Spice-like circuit models of GaN HEMTs, Si and SiC MOSFETs. Modelling of output and transfer characteristics. Threshold voltage and conduction resistance models. Parasitic diode and capacitance modelling. Package and PCB parasitic elements. Circuit models of the junction temperature. Spice-based electro-thermal co-simulation. Emerging topics in circuit modelling and analysis of power devices.

T5 - Electromagnetic compatibility of power circuits

Introduction to EMC. Radiated and conducted emissions. Radiated and conducted immunity. Effect of Switched-Mode Power Supply components on conducted emissions. Parasitic components of power devices and boards. Basic notes on system design for EMC.

L1 - Circuit modelling and simulation

SIMetrix circuit simulator. Spice modelling of power electronics devices. Test circuits for characteristic accuracy evaluation.

Introduction to MATLAB. Circuit simulations in MATLAB: Simscape. MATLAB-Simscape interaction for parametric circuits analysis. Integration of Spice netlists in Simscape.

L2 - Electromagnetic simulation for analysis and circuit modelling of Printed Circuit Boards

Overview on the Q3D simulator: theoretical background and graphic interface. From 3D structures creation to electromagnetic simulation. Parasitic components of PCB: Spice netlist extraction.

Import and simulation of PCB developed with external CAD: Altium-Q3D interaction.

From graphic interface to non-GUI modelling and simulation using IronPython.

L3 - Artificial intelligence for sustainable power electronics

Basic notes on stochastic and deterministic optimization. MATLAB Optimization Toolbox. Examples of circuit 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 power electronics. Sustainability of artificial intelligence.

Seminars on emerging topics in industry and academia

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) Paul Clayton R., “Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility”, 2nd ed.,WILEY.

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

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

(5) Additional documentation (available in Studium).

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.