Web-Based Delivery of the First Course in Power Electronics

Amman – JordanDecember 16-17

Issa Batarseh School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

University of Central Florida.Orlando, Florida 32816

Email: Batarseh@mail.ucf.edu

Introduction The role of technology in education has never been

greater: capabilities, cost. The Internet has been utilized as the ideal medium

to create platforms for students to use for its wide availability.

There is a pressing need for developing original web-based multi-media learning environment.

None of today's web-based educational tools allow students to perform a generalized and real time simulation of engineering problems in the interactive web-based instructional environment.

Introduction(cont.) Power electronics is the fastest growing area in

electrical engineering. US universities have not kept pace with the growth

of power electronics field, and are not educating students in sufficient numbers

The writing of this paper is motivated primarily by the current multimedia delivery efforts underway at the University of Central Florida (UCF) to develop undergraduate and graduate curriculum in power electronics.

Methods of Delivery

Classroom (Live) fixed in time and

location

Distance any time any place meets needs of non-

traditional students maintain classes at

branch campuses

Methods of Distance Learning

Textbooks Radio/TV By Correspondences Taped Lectures Video Streaming Interactive TV Internet/web Based live feeding

Internet Based

Universal access Moderate cost (free to students) Complement classroom instruction and make

learning easier. Learn a new technology that is here to stay Potential for improving critical thinking and

problem solving skills. interaction between students and faculty. Highly interactive via Web and e-mail Foster independence and autonomy among

students. Higher students satisfaction. High participation in discussion.

Internet Based Courses (cont.)

Potential Problems Low bandwidth (delays in transmitting audio and

video information). Learning curve, hardware and software Budgetary restrictions. Students with limited writing and communication

skills are at disadvantage. Possible delays due to technical difficulties.

Web Based Power Electronic Courses

8 Universities were surveyed by email:

Limited web based activities Documentation/information Limited interaction with students Lack of design on line Lack of simulation on line

Web Based Power Electronic Courses

Table I Summary of on-line PE Survey 1. No. of Institutions offer P.E. Courses 7 2. No. of on-line PE Courses 6 Fully on the web courses 4 3. List of Multimedia Tools - Information about the course - Full Lectures on line

- Homework Assignments are provided on line - Homework Assignments are taken on line - Exams/Quizzes are given on line - Sample exams online. - Student profiles - Design on-line

7 5 7 1(soon) 2 4 2 0

4. What form if interaction do you have with your students: - Email - Bulletin boards - Videos

5. Do you use Web-CT for your courses?

7 4 4 2+1(soon)

UCF Experience

Web-CT has been the main platform used to develop courses on line.

Courses are either:– (W) Fully on the Web to reduce classroom seating– (M) Mixed-mode course– (E) Web Enhanced in which the web is used to

enhance course delivery. The Fully on the Web Courses are offered fully via

the web through which students are not required to attend the class.

Mixed/Web-Enhanced Courses students use both live lectures and the web to go through the course.

UCF Experience (cont.) FEEDS: Florida Engineering Educational Delivery

System College of Engineering and Computer Science has

been involved with video-taped classes for more than 15 years.

UCF had 120 classes at 51 sites .(The Florida State System has more than 484 classes at 156 sites)

By combining both the Internet and the existing videotaped delivery, the program was able to offer courses to more students at more remote locations.

Power Electronics Courses At UCF, two power electronics courses are offered

periodically;– EEL 5245 Power Electronics I– EEL 6246 Power Electronics II

A third course that discusses dynamic modeling and controller design is offered as– EEL 6271 Advanced Electronics I

Power Electronics CoursesTable II Detailed course outlines for First Course in Power Electronics

POWER ELECTRONICS I

I. Introduction 1.1 Overview of the Course 1.2 Why Power Electronics ? 1.3 Overview and Applications of Power Electronics

II. Review Material 2.1 Modern Switching Semiconductor Devices (Diodes, BJTs, MOSFETs, Thyristors, GTOs, IGBTs) 2.2 Switching Characteristics 2.3 The Ideal Switch and Switching Functions 2.4 Magnetics: materials and properties 2.5 Transformers 2.6 Three-phase Systems

III. DC-TO-DC Switch-mode Converters 3.1 Concept of Source Conversion: source <--> load 3.2 Linear Regulators 3.3 Switch-mode Converters

3.3.1 Non-Isolated Switch-mode Converters:Continuous Conduction Modes (CCM).Discontinuous Conduction Modes (DCM).

a) Buck Converterb) Boost Converterc) Buck-Boost Converter

d) Cuk Converter

3.3.2 Isolated Switch-Mode Power converters a) Single-ended Isolated Forward Converter b) Double-ended Isolated Forward Converter c) Flyback converter

IV. DC-to-AC Inverters 4.1 Principle of Operation 4.2 Single-phase Inverters 4.3 Equal Pulse Modulation 4.4 Sinusoidal PWM 4.5 Three-phase Inverters

V. Diode Circuits and Rectifiers (AC-to-DC Conversion) 5.1 Rectifier Concepts 5.2 Single Phase Half- and Full-wave Diode Rectifiers with:

a) Resistive loadb) Inductive loadc) Capacitive load

5.3 Three-phase Full-wave Rectifiers

VI. Phase-Controlled Rectifiers (AC-to-DC Conversion) 6.1 Natural and Forced Commutation Concepts 6.2 Principle of Phase-Controlled Converters

6.3 Single-phase Full Converters

The First Power Electronics Course: Fall 2000

The Web Site: http://reach.ucf.edu/~eel5245/ The site contains;

– detailed course outline, – lectures, – homework assignments, – sample exams, – quizzes on line, – exam on line – Student information/course grades

Logging on:

Figure 1 Welcome page for the course, with the login screen shown.

Fig. 2(a) Student view of the main page of the course Web-CT site.

Fig. 2(b) The instructor and editor view of the course Web-CT site.

Fig. 3 The course home Web Site for the class

Quizzes and Exams;

The Web-CT environment allows student tracking and providing quizzes and exams on line.

Developed quizzes and one exam on-line.

This makes it possible for students to take open-book, open-note exams anywhere and any time within the time window set by the instructor.

Future Trends; Growth in power electronics education and

research will continue to grow in the near future To develop an effective power electronics

education it is important to have simulation and hardware laboratory support in conjunction with the course material.

Web-based education must include more on-line course offerings advanced graphical-user-interface tools, on-line exams, interactive discussion, and even web-based interactive circuit and system simulations.

Additional work is needed in developing web-based interactive simulation/design and experiential learning.

On-Line Power Electronics Simulation:

Computer simulation and computer tools play very important role delivering effective power electronics education.

In UCF; Students will have free access that will allow them through a GUI to be able to design build and simulate circuit engineering problems on line.

This will provide an innovative method for interactive teaching and on-line design testing.

The on-line Pspice computer simulation of engineering problems will help students better understand abstract engineering principles, and will have multiple opportunities to solve engineering design problems.

Example of web-based Interactive Lectures

Interactive Power Electronics

Seminar (iPES)

By

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich

(Ref. #12)

http://www.ipes.ethz.ch