Expert system for the CAD in power electronics - Application to UPS

In this paper, an application using the expert system approach for design purposes in power electronics is presented. Our goal is the development of a software tool for the computer-aided design of static converters; we present here a first approach, dedicated to the uninterrupted power supplies (UPS), The specifications are described by the performances to be reached at the input and output of the converter. These data are analyzed by use of rules and methods that allow achieving the design of the different parts of the system: the input filter, output filter, inverter, rectifier, etc. The characterization of these subparts, according to different criteria and specifications, has been made by implementation of autonomous expert modules, Each of these modules has been designed and implemented independently from the others by use of the ''expert system shell'' SMECI; the design of the whole UPS is realized under the control of a special module that rules the cooperation between the specialized experts, The results of this approach are presented, and the benefits of its application are pointed out.