Simulation is paramount in power electronics because it allows us to experiment with complex converter topologies, test various scenarios, and optimize designs without the constraints of physical prototypes. It's a virtual laboratory that empowers engineers. Plecs is a powerful simulation tool with a Simulink-like interface, enabling you to simulate and visualize the behavior of various power converter topologies, allowing you to gain practical insights into their operation. The key to mastering any software is practicing examples. Therefore, Plecs simulation exercises are given to reinforce understanding and hands-on application of the concepts covered. The course is divided into the following modules:

Module 1: Introduction to Power Converter

Basics of power electronics and power conversion

Analysis tools include Fourier series, total harmonic distortion (THD), power factor, average and rms value, and periodic steady-state.

Module 2: Introduction to Plecs

Installation of Plexim Plecs

Building and simulating a simple Plecs model

Editing parameters of blocks

Editing scope parameters

The first electrical circuit in Plecs

Half-wave rectifier simulation

Using Plecs schematic and waveform in the report

Exporting waveform as CSV data and importing it into Matlab for plotting

Fourier spectrum of a waveform

Average and rms value

The hold trace option for tuning a parameter

Modeling of mechanical systems (optional)

Module 3: Simulation Scripts in Plecs Standalone

Introduction to Octave Console

Simulation Scripts environment

Evaluating parameters and exporting and importing CSV files

Holding scope trace using simulation script

Module 4: C Programming in Plecs: The C-script

Introduction to C-script block

Using parameters in C-script block

Multiplexed inputs to C-script block

Module 5: Introduction to AC-DC Converters

Introduction and classification of AC-DC converters

Half-wave diode rectifier with resistive load

The effect of inductive load in half-wave diode rectifier

Single-phase bridge rectifier

Half-wave and bridge controlled rectifier with resistive load

Module 6: Introduction to DC-DC converters

Introduction to DC-DC buck converter and implementation in Plecs

Introduction to pulse-width modulation

Design of a DC-DC buck converter

Frequency response using impulse response analysis in Plecs

Designing a feedback controller for a Buck converter

The transfer function of converter using system identification

Digital control for Buck converter

Module 7: DC-AC converters

Half and full-bridge Inverter simulation in Plecs

Quazi Square Wave or Three level Inverter or Phase-shift modulation

Sinusoidal pulse-width modulation

Bipolar and Unipolar SPWM

Full-bridge inverter with series resonant networks

Gain gain characteristics curve of resonant inverter using simulation script

Full-bridge inverter with parallel resonant network

Three phase bridge inverter in 180 degree and 120 degree conduction mode

Module 8: Texas instruments TI C2000 Microcontroller programming using Plecs

Introduction to TI C2000 microcontroller

Blink Led Using GPIO

GPIO in input and output mode

Pulse width modulation (PWM) using C2000 mcu, External mode operation

TI C2000 DAC and ADC

Offline simulation of TI C2000 controlling power converter

Offline simulation of digital control of the Buck converter