Mathcad® - a 'learning enabler' in power electronics education

Abstract

Advancement in technology and the resulting affects on curriculum content in an attempt to meet employer's needs requires careful consideration to avoid 'over pruning' essential basics. Developing delivery methodology that reduces the labour of the exercise yet does not mask the need for the student to have a critical understanding of the problem is a desirable compromise. The paper demonstrates how Mathcad can be used as a 'learning enabler' and teaching aid when applied to a typical Power Electronics application. The traditional 'basic' power supply input stage has been selected as it is not as 'simple' as textbooks suggest, involving complex and transcendental equations. Results presented include analysis, performance curves and waveform plots. The importance of power quality and the essential requirement in many countries to comply with the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) regulations has recently been incorporated into the curriculum and is also supported by the methods described. Interactive use of the results demonstrates pictorially the effect of system parameter variations and is a valuable easy to understand 'learning enabler' in the teaching of design. The Power of Electronics and EMC applications in this paper are intended to introduce undergraduates to a software package used world wide in Industry and Academia, and to provide transferable skills to other apllications and disciplines.