Workshop: Advanced Modelling and Simulation

of Power Electronic Systems

The University of Nottingham, 8-9 March, 2010
Lectures and Hands on Exercises
FIRST UK Simulation of power electronic systems Advanced Modelling and Simulation, Small signal
analysis and control design
demonstration • An introduction in modelling and simulation techniques
• Operating principle of PLECS Use of the C-Script block in PLECS
of Standalone • Interaction with the Simulink solver; stiffness; zero-crossings • Custom controllers & components
• Introduction to PLECS Standalone • Implementing a state machine and a PI controller
PLECS Thermal modelling and applied to a Long Pulse Resonant Converter • Control system design using PLECS
Thermal modelling concepts for system simulation • Modelling a current-controlled flyback converter
• Heat sink concept & defining losses • Using AC sweep and impulse response tools
to obtain the bode plots of plant & controller
Advanced features of PLECS • Using the state space extraction tool for
• Thermal modelling of a buck converter analogue controller and filter design
• Non-linear and custom components models • Loop gain prediction
• Development of a non-linear photovoltaic model using PLECS
• Creating custom component models using the PLECS sub-circuit
• Thermal modelling applied to a Long Pulse Resonant Converter
• Modelling of forward converter
• Steady state analysis
• Control design tools

Take this opportunity

to see what can be achieved using
cutting edge Power Electronics simulation technology.
Spend some time with our Power Electronics experts and get hands-on simulation
instructions for the answers to your own design challenges. SPEAKERS:
You’ll learn the latest tips and techniques for simulating complex Power Electronics Systems and discover Prof. Pat Wheeler, The University of Nottingham
the many features of PLECS and how it can speed up the design and analysis of your electronic systems.
The workshop contains hands on exercises. Please bring your own computer with you. PLECS licenses
Dr. John Schönberger, Research and Applications Engineer Plexim
may be obtained ahead of the workshop from: http://www.plexim.com/store/plecs_trial.html Dr. Fabio Carastro, Research Fellow The University of Nottingham
REGISTER NOW AND RESERVE YOUR PLACE, tel: +44 (0)1793 784 389 or email: Linda.Salton@ppm.co.uk
Simulation of Power Electronics at system level
PLECS is a circuit simulator that makes the modelling
and simulation of complex electrical systems simple.
Supporting a top-down approach, it lets you start with
ideal component models in order to focus on system
behavior. Low-level device details can be added later
to account for parasitic effects.
With the intuitive, easy-to-use schematic editor, new
models are set up quickly. Thanks to a proprietary
handling of switching events, simulations of power
electronic circuits are fast and robust. Seamless
integration with Simulink further extends the
possibilities of system-oriented simulations.
Whether you are simulating a simple power electronic
converter or a complex electrical drive, PLECS is a
powerful tool that will help you quickly obtain the
results that you need.
PLECS library browser
Fast and efficient
PLECS uses ideal component models where possible
to simplify switching transitions and to allow for larger
simulation time steps. At the circuit and system levels,
this results in a fast and efficient simulation because
only those details that affect the circuit response
are modelled.
Simple to use
Just place a PLECS circuit onto your Simulink
worksheet as you would with a normal subsystem
block. Begin dragging and dropping components from
the PLECS library into the circuit to create your new
simulation model.
Open component library
In addition to a range of standard components, the
PLECS library comes with specialised elements for
power electronics. Ideal and non-ideal semiconductor
switches are included as well as customisable
converter, machine and transformer models.
Thermal modelling
PLECS supports the modelling of thermal structures
and the calculation of switching and conduction
losses. Simulation speed is not adversely affected
during loss calculations since ideal switching is
maintained. Device losses are calculated after each
switching occurrence by referring to lookup tables that
are created using an integrated visual editor.
Analysis tools
Steady-state analysis
PLECS offers a steady-state analysis tool that rapidly
iterates to the periodic operating point of a switching
power system. Particularly useful for electro-thermal
systems, this tool calculates final device temperatures
without wasting hours of simulation time.
AC analysis
The AC sweep tool allows control systems engineers to
obtain important small signal transfer functions such
as the loop gain of a system. The transfer functions
are obtained by measuring the system response to
perturbations over a frequency range.
…available from PPM Power call +44 (0)1793 784389 or visit www.ppmpower.co.uk
PLECS Scope
With advanced zooming and panning features, the
At a glance:
new PLECS scope is a convenient tool for viewing your Electrical system modelling
Use the PLECS schematic editor to create
results. The scope has cursors for reading data values
electrical circuits that slot into the Simulink
and measuring time differences, and can perform
environment as a subsystem.
simple analyses such as obtaining the RMS value of a
Fast and robust simulation
signal. Printing and saving your results is made easy
Power semiconductors modelled as ideal switches
with the customisable export feature. speed up the simulation of large converter systems.
Analysis tools
Integration with Simulink The new analysis tools help you to determine
A PLECS circuit is modeled directly within Simulink the periodic operating point and the transfer
function of your converter.
and appears as a unique subsystem with control
inputs and measurement outputs.
Rather than relying on co-simulation, the Simulink
Industries:
engine itself solves the circuit equations alongside the Aerospace
external control system. PLECS offers a full Actuation systems, aircraft power supply...
compatibility with simulation settings, supporting both Automotive
variable and fixed-step solvers. X-by-wire, starter-generator, hybrid electric vehicle...
Drives & Automation
System requirements Variable speed drives, motion control, robotics...
PLECS is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.
Electronics
Batteries, mains adapters, lighting,
MATLAB and Simulink are required for using PLECS.
audio amplifiers...
Transportation
Railway interties, traction units, auxiliary systems...
Try it
Industrial Equipment
Find out why many industry-leading companies have Inductive heating, wind and solar power,
adopted PLECS. To obtain your free trial licence for the active filters...
latest version of PLECS, visit www.plexim.com
THE POWER IN POWER ELECTRONICS