Application Of Information Technology Tools In Teaching The Course And Laboratory Of Power Electronics

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.