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Unit of study_

ELEC9204: Power Electronics and Applications

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study aims to teach the fundamentals of advanced energy conversion systems based on power electronics. It provides description of the operation principles and control of these blocks. Through analysis and design methodologies, it delivers an in depth understanding of modern enabling technologies associated with energy conversion. Through laboratory hands-on experience on actual industrial systems, such electrical motor drives, robotic arms, and power supplies, it enhances the link between the theory and the "real" engineering world. The unit clarifies unambiguously the role these imperative technologies play in every human activity; from mobile telephone chargers to energy electricity grids; from electric vehicles and industrial automation to wind energy conversion to name just few. The following topics are covered: Introduction to power electronic converters and systems; applications of power electronic converters; power semiconductor devices; uncontrolled rectifiers: single- and three-phase; non-isolated dc-dc converters: buck, boost and buck-boost; isolated dc-dc converters; inverters: single- and three-phase; uninterruptible power supplies; battery chargers and renewable energy systems; electric and hybrid electric vehicles technologies, design of converters and systems.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ELEC9204
Academic unit Electrical and Information Engineering
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
ELEC5733
Prerequisites
? 
ELEC9704
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Differential equations, linear algebra, complex variables, analysis of linear circuits. Fourier theory applied to periodic and non-periodic signals. Software such as MATLAB to perform signal analysis and filter design. Familiarity with the use of basic laboratory equipment such as oscilloscope, function generator, power supply, etc

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Weidong Xiao, weidong.xiao@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rui Chu, rui.chu@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final exam
Closed-book exam Non-programmable calculator
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Assignment 6 lab sessions or simulation project
Simulation project for RE students; 6 lab sessions for CC students;
30% Please select a valid week from the list below Week 3-13
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Design and simulation
for both CC and RE students
5% Week 05 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Online task In-class quiz
online exam (open book)
15% Week 07 55-minute open book test on Week 7
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Lecture 1 (Introduction) No lab; no tutorial; Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Lecture 2 (Power semiconductors and magnetics) Tutorial 1 (Introduction to simulation for power electronics and power computation); 3 sessions on Mon, Wed, Thu Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 03 Lecture 3 (Buck converters) RE support (Simulation project and assignment support); CC Lab 0 (Lab introduction, safety requirement, and microcontrollers); 3 sessions on Mon, Wed, Thu); 3 sessions on Mon, Wed, Thu Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 04 Lecture 4 (Boost converters, switching loss and gate drivers) Tutorial 2 (PWM generation and converter modulation); 3 sessions on Mon, Wed, Thu Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Lecture 5 (Buck-boost converter and conduction loss analysis) RE support (Simulation project and assignment support); CC Lab 1 (Buck converter construction, test, and evaluation); 3 sessions on Mon, Wed, Thu Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Lecture 6 (DC/1pAC conversion and Single-phase AC to DC conversion) Tutorial 3 (DC/DC converters and DC motors); 3 sessions on Mon, Wed, Thu Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 07 Lecture 7 (Quick mid-term summary and in-class quiz) RE support (Simulation project); CC Lab 2 (DC motor drive and applications); 3 sessions on Mon, Wed, Thu Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 No Lecture (Good Friday) RE support (Simulation project); CC Lab 3 (DC motor drive and applications); 3 sessions on Mon, Wed, Thu Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Lecture 9 (Three-phase AC to DC conversion) RE support (Simulation project); CC Lab 4 (DC motor drive and applications); 3 sessions on Mon, Wed, Thu Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Lecture 10 (DC to three-phase AC conversion and Switched capacitor converter) RE support (Simulation project); CC Lab 5 (DC motor drive and applications); 3 sessions on Mon, Wed, Thu Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Lecture 11 (Flyback and Forward converters) RE support (Simulation project); CC Lab 6 (Three-phase AC to DC conversion); 3 sessions on Mon, Wed, Thu Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Lecture 12 (Analysis, design, and simulation of Isolated DC/DC converters) Tutorial 4 (Simulation and support) 3 sessions on Mon, Wed, Thu Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Lecture 13 (Review and Q&A) Tutorial 5 (Simulation and Q&A) 3 sessions on Mon, Wed, Thu Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Textbook:

Power Electronics Step-by-Step: Design, Modeling, Simulation, and Control 1st Edition

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand power semiconductor devices used for modern power electronics
  • LO2. understand and analyze DC-DC power converters in steady-state
  • LO3. understand and analyze AC/DC and DC/AC power conversion in steady-state
  • LO4. modeling and simulation of DC/DC, DC/AC, and AC/DC power conversion
  • LO5. test and troubleshoot power converters
  • LO6. : performance evaluation of power converters

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit should follow the same as ELEC3204. No major change.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.