When we start a power electronics project, we start out working conceptually. Our first choices are usually the topology and control methods. Then we might start working out the protection, monitoring, and control interface circuits. We might be sketching out the floorplan of a PCB or the mechanical packaging and cooling strategy. At some point, our work becomes more about calculation than concept. We calculate component values, voltage and current stresses, design magnetic components, calculate control loops, calculate power dissipation, and temperature rises. When all is done, most of our work is calculation.
Putting on my “grumpy old guy hat,” for my first design out of college, my tools for calculation were a pencil, a lab notebook, and an HP-25 programmable calculator. Today, we have unlimited computing resources at our fingertips. The most basic calculating tool that we might have is a spreadsheet, such as Excel or LibreOffice Calc. I think spreadsheets are very much underestimated when it comes to engineering calculations. Almost everyone has a spreadsheet program of some form. This makes it easy to share calculations. I will use a spreadsheet whenever possible when doing work for my consulting clients. I can hand off my work knowing that the client will be able to see and understand my work now and in the future. An example of how powerful a spreadsheet can be for engineering is the Ridleyworks power supply design and simulation program created by Ray Ridley. The entire foundation for this program is Excel, which I consider a remarkable achievement.
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