Chapter 1 - Introduction

Abstract

Power electronics is the study of electronic circuits for the control and conversion of electrical energy. The technology is a critical part of the energy infrastructure, and is a key driver for a wide range of uses of electricity. It is becoming increasingly important as an essential tool for efficient, convenient energy conversion, and management. For power electronics design, it considers only those circuits and devices that, in principle, introduce no loss and achieve near-perfect reliability. The two key characteristics of high efficiency and high reliability are implemented with switching circuits, supplemented with energy storage. In a power electronic system, the three primary challenges are the hardware problem of implementing a switch matrix, the software problem of deciding how to operate that matrix, and the interface problem of removing unwanted distortion and providing the user with the desired clean power source. The hardware is implemented with a few special types of power semiconductors. The software problem can be represented in terms of switching functions. The frequency, duty ratio, and phase of switching functions are available for operational purposes. The interface problem is addressed by means of lossless filter circuits. Improvements in devices and advances in control concepts have led to steady improvements in power electronic circuits and systems. This is driving tremendous expansion of their application. High-performance lighting systems, motor controls, and a wide range of industrial controls depend on power electronics. Strong growth is occurring in automotive applications, in dc power supplies for communication systems, in portable devices, and in high-end converters for advanced microprocessors.