Graduate Student Design Assignment (M.S.
1. Objective
This assignment is intended to evaluate each applicant's engineering fundamentals, design
methodology, problem-solving ability, and technical communication skills.
2. Design Specifications
Input Voltage 400 VDC
Output Voltage 13.5 VDC
Rated Output Power 3 kW
Topology PSFB
Recommended Software PLECS or LTspice
3. Assignment
3.1 PSFB Converter Design
Explain the selected values and engineering rationale for:
• Switching frequency
• Transformer turns ratio
• Output inductor
• Output capacitor
• Leakage inductance (or external series inductance)
• Dead time
3.2 Control Strategy
Explain the phase-shift control method. Your explanation should be understandable to an
undergraduate student who has completed an introductory power electronics course.
3.3 Simulation Results
• Output voltage
• Output current
• Primary transformer current
• Secondary transformer current
• Primary switch voltage/current
• Output inductor current
• Waveforms verifying ZVS
3.4 Load Analysis
• 25% Load
• 50% Load
• 100% Load
3.5 Performance Analysis
• Output voltage ripple
• Semiconductor voltage/current stress
• Circulating current
• ZVS operation
• Light-load characteristics
3.6 Conclusion
• Key design considerations
• Possible improvements
4. Optional Analysis
• Conduction loss calculation
• Switching loss calculation
• Efficiency estimation
• Power-loss distribution
These items are optional and will not be used as mandatory evaluation criteria.
General Information
Use of AI Tools
The use of AI-assisted tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot) and publicly available
references is permitted.
• You must fully understand every aspect of your submission.
• Before submission, independently reproduce and verify your own design and simulation.
• Do not submit work that you cannot explain or reproduce.
During the interview, you may be asked to explain or modify any part of your work. Failure to
explain or reproduce your own work may negatively affect your evaluation.
Simulation Software
PLECS or LTspice is recommended.
• PLECS provides a free trial license (typically sufficient for this assignment).
• LTspice is available free of charge.
Numerous online tutorials are available for both software packages. Other software such as
PSIM or MATLAB/Simulink may also be used. However, PLECS and LTspice are the primary
simulation tools used in my research group, so applicants are encouraged to become familiar
with one of them whenever possible.
Design Assumptions
Any design parameters or conditions not explicitly specified in this assignment may be selected
by the applicant based on sound engineering judgment.
• Switching frequency
• Semiconductor device type/model
• Magnetic component parameters
• Dead time
• Output voltage ripple target
• Control parameters
• Any other necessary design assumptions
Clearly state all assumptions and justify your choices. Evaluation will focus on the engineering
rationale rather than on selecting any particular value.
Questions
No additional technical design conditions or parameter values will be provided. If a condition is
not specified, applicants are expected to make reasonable engineering assumptions and
proceed accordingly.
The report should emphasize engineering analysis and explanation rather than simply
presenting simulation results.