Course Syllabus

  • Course Details
  • ECE 481: Power Electronics -- All Sections
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • The course is an introduction to switched-mode power converters. It provides a basic knowledge of circuitry for the control and conversion of electrical power with high efficiency. These converters can change and regulate the voltage, current, or power; dc-dc converters, ac-dc rectifiers, dc-ac inverters, and ac-ac cycloconverters are in common use. Applications include electronic power supplies, aerospace and vehicular power systems, and renewable energy systems.
  • Prerequisites: ECE 316 - Signals and Systems II, ECE 325 - Electric Energy System Components, and ECE 336 - Electronic Circuits.
  • Course Topics
    1. Converters in Equilibrium
      1. Principles of steady-state converter analysis
      2. Steady-state equivalent circuit modeling, losses, and efficiency
      3. Switch realization
      4. The discontinuous conduction mode
      5. Converter circuits
    2. Converter Dynamics and Control
      1. AC modeling
      2. Converter transfer functions
      3. Controller design
    3. Magnetics for Power Converters
      1. Basic magnetics theory
      2. Filter inductor design
      3. Transformer design
    4. Applications and practical issues

  • Class Meeting Schedule
  • Lecture: MWF, 9:10 - 10:00 am
  • Lectures meet in MK405
  • Lab experiments occur in MK225
  • Attendance is required in all lectures and scheduled lab times
  • Instructors
  • Professor Daniel Costinett
  • Email: ude.ktu@ttenitsoC.leinaD
  • Please use [ECE481] in the subject line for all course-related e-mails.
  • Phone:865-974-3572
  • Office: MK504
  • Office Hours: T 2-3:00pm, W 3:30-4:30pm
  • E-mail to set up an additional time
  • TA: Elizabeth Sutton
  • Email: ude.ktu@4nottuse
  • Office: MK225
  • Office Hours: T 9-10:00am, R 8-10:00am

  • Policies
  • No late work will be accepted except in cases of documented medical emergencies.
  • Collaboration is encouraged on all assignments except quizzes and exams.
  • Assignments will be due in lecture on the day listed in the course schedule. The assignment is due prior to the start of the scheduled period.
  • All written assignments will be submitted through Canvas

  • Grading
  • Homeworks and Labs are learning experiences and will be graded based on effort
  • Exams (midterms and final) are assessments and will be graded based on demonstrated knowledge and correct application of techniques.
  • Grading
  • Homework: 35%
  • Midterms/Labs: 35%
  • Final: 30%
  • Grading Scale
    • ≥92.5% 92.5% to 90% 90% to 87.5% 87.5% to 82.5% 82.5% to 80% 80% to 77.5%
    A A- B+ B B- C+
    77.5% to 72.5% 72.5% to 70% 70% to 67.5% 67.5% to 62.5% 62.5% to 60% <60%
    C C- D+ D D- F
  • Assignments
  • The course will have approximately 13 homework assignments, 3 labs, 1 midterm exam, and one final exam.
  • Homeworks
  • All homeworks count towards the final grade
  • You are welcome to work collaboratively on homework assignments, but must submit your own work
  • All homework assignments will be submitted prior to the start of lecture through Canvas as a pdf. A physical copy may be submitted prior to the start of lecture for a 5% grade penalty
  • Labs
  • All labs will count towards the final grade
  • Prelab assignments are due prior to the assigned lab time through Canvas as a pdf. A physical copy may be submitted at the start of the lab time for a 5% grade penalty
  • Labwork will be completed in groups of 2-3. Every individual must turn in their own prelab. One report is turned in per group
  • Lab reports should be clear, concise, and complete. Lab reports are submitted through Canvas as a pdf
  • Exams
  • All exams will count towards the final grade
  • All exams are open-book, open-note, and a calculator may be used. No collaboration is allowed.
  • Textbook
  • Erickson and MaksimovicFundamentals of Power Electronics 2nd or 3rd Edition
  • Available at UT bookstore or through online retailers
  • How to succeed in this course
  • Attend all lectures
  • Read associated sections in the book, as listed on the course schedule
  • Work collaboratively (in person or virtually) to understand assignments
  • Actively participate in lab sessions
  • Review material in advance of quizzes and exams
  • Ask questions in lecture / office hours / e‐mail after having made an attempt at the material on your own
  • Additional notices for all students
  • If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. (865-974-6087, 2227 Dunford Hall).
  • Every effort will be made to reasonably and fairly deal with students who have serious religious observances that conflict with scheduled exams, assignments, etc. Please notify the instructor well in advance, so that there is time to make adequate arrangements.
  • All students of the University of Tennessee are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported. Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). For further information, please refer to the university Standards of Conduct and the academic policies and procedures, present in hilltopics