implementation and assessment of a Web-based power electronics laboratory

Abstract—A Web-based laboratory exercise with remote access is presented, through which a student of Electrical/Electronic En-gineering is introduced in both a theoretical and practical way, to many fundamental aspects of power electronics. The system is flex-ible and can expand the range of laboratory exercises where full-scale laboratories are not feasible. In the electrical environment, limits can be placed on voltages and currents for safety reasons. Prelaboratory investigations allow students to take an active in-volvement in the learning process by addressing some challenging and critical aspects of the design before approaching the physical system. Further understanding is gained by studying the circuit in a Web-based, interactive power electronics seminar (iPES) by simulating the circuit using PSpice and then analyzing the control and feedback issues with MATLAB. In the final stage, a real power converter is tested remotely over the Web, and the cycle of design, simulation, and test is completed using Web-based tools. Index Terms—Control engineering, dc–dc converters, distance learning, power electronics, Web-based laboratory