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Day 1
Session 01: Future Trends and Applications of Power Electronics Technology
Key trends driving size reductions and efficiency improvements.
Session 02: Rectifiers
Applications and types of rectifiers, focusing on the electric vehicle industry.
Session 03: Single Phase Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
Introduction to PWM algorithms for DC and single-phase AC applications.
Session 04: DC to DC Converters (Part 1)
Basic principles, including buck and boost converters, interleaving, and bi-directional power flow.
Session 05: DC to DC Converters (Part 2)
Advanced DC-DC converter concepts, including flyback and isolated topologies.
Day 2
Session 06: DC to DC Converters (Part 3) – Modeling & Simulation
Average and switching models for DC-DC converters, with simulation exercises.
Session 07: DC to AC Inverters (Part 1)
Fundamental topologies for single-phase and three-phase AC waveform generation.
Session 08: Three Phase Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
PWM strategies for three-phase applications, with harmonic analysis.
Session 09: DC to AC Inverters (Part 2) – Multilevel
Overview of multilevel inverters, modulation techniques, and harmonic performance.
Session 10: DC to AC Inverters (Part 3) – Simulation & Advanced Topics
Advanced topics in AC/DC and DC/AC converters for DC motors and three-phase loads.
Day 3
Session 11: Switching Transistors for Power Electronics
Differentiate between switching transistor technologies and optimize their performance in power converter designs.
Session 12: Gate Drive for Power Transistors
Design and optimize gate drive circuits considering power stage requirements and isolation technologies.
Session 13: PCB Layout for Gate-Drive Circuits
Apply PCB layout principles to minimize inductance, improve EMI performance, and enhance reliability of gate-drive circuits.
Session 14: PCB Layout for Power Transistors
Design PCB layouts to optimize thermal and electrical performance in power transistor applications.
Day 4
Session 15: Thermal Engineering Practice for Power Electronics
Basics of thermal design, conduction/switching losses, and cooling methods.
Session 16: Insulation Design
Electrical insulation materials, standards, and failure mechanisms in applications.
Session 17: Reliability Engineering for Power Electronics
Reliability concepts, failure mechanisms, and accelerated testing for power electronics.
Session 18: Course Review & Roundtable Wrap-up
Summary and interactive roundtable discussion to consolidate learning.
Registration Date/Time:
5/24/2027 07:30am Central Time
Event Dates/Times:
- 5/24/2027 8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
- 5/25/2027 8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
- 5/26/2027 8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
- 5/27/2027 8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
Course Location
Lodging
Room: rates start at $160
Accommodations include: Complimentary WiFi, Local/Airport Shuttle, Pool, and Fitness Center.
Accommodations include: Enjoy complimentary business center, WiFi and Local/Airport Shuttle. Each room has a refrigerator, microwave, 42-inch HDTV, and executive desk. Parking available $15/night.
This is a HyFlex course: In-person and live online course that uses the Zoom and Canvas platforms.
The registration confirmation will guide students through accessing the Canvas course site.
Students will create and log in to the Canvas course site with a NetID. Course assets such as instructional materials, participation certificates, and course evaluations will be available to all students through the Canvas course site.
The course materials are all digital and only available on the Canvas course website.
Online attendees will access sessions via the Zoom web conferencing platform. The Zoom link will be provided a few days before the course.
Please watch the email address that you provide during registration for release dates and pre-course information.
Instructors
Steven Fredette
Associate Teaching Professor
Fredette is an associate teaching professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at UW-Madison. He is interested in the design, simulation, modeling, controls, and development of power conversion systems for alternative energy (wind, solar PV, fuel cells) and industrial (HVAC, elevator, traction) applications. Fredette has delivered innovative, producible solutions to the industrial, aerospace, and alternative energy fields.
He has acquired a wide range of industrial experience through work for United Technologies, Vestas Technology R&D, and American Superconductor (AMSC). He has a PhD from UW-Madison.
Erick Oberstar
Program Director
Dr. Oberstar is a Program Director with InterPro and has over 28 years of engineering and entrepreneurial experiences. At InterPro he manages programs for and teaches in the areas of AI/ML, Electrification, and Mechatronics. He has extensive experience in embedded real time control systems, signal and image processing, robotics, automation, medical devices. He managed the UW-Madison Mechatronics Laboratory for 22 years where he taught courses in mechatronics, manufacturing automation, automatic controls, and discrete time controls.
He has previous technical roles as a Scientist in the Department of Medical Physics at UW, consultant for St. Jude Medical, and electrical engineer for Orbital Technologies Corporation and Automation Components. His numerous entrepreneurial experiences include working on blood flow quantification, night vision, bacterial detection, robotics, automation, and general product development.
Dr. Oberstar has a Ph.D in Biomedical Engineering and MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering (WEMPEC) from UW-Madison, and a BS Electrical Engineering from UW-Platteville. He has over 30 publications with over 400 citations and three patents. Dr. Oberstar is a Wisconsin Professional Engineer, Harvey Spangler Award for Technology Enhanced Education winner and judge, as well as a SPIE member and senior member of IEEE.
Program Director
Erick Oberstar