STORIES

I spent almost 5 months on exchange in Maribor, Slovenia, at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. I took 5 subjects: ELECTRICAL DEVICES AND POWER SYSTEM / ELECTRIC DRIVES / CONTROL SYSTEMS I / INFORMATION SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS / INTRODUCTION TO CIRCUIT ANALYSIS.

Electrical Devices and Power Systems

I explored various aspects of electrical power systems, including their elements, transient phenomena, and the analysis of symmetrical and non-symmetrical failures. This involved calculations necessary for understanding system behavior during different scenarios. I also delved into the theory of electrical contacts, covering topics such as contact resistance, bounce-back of contacts, thermal loading, and electrodynamic overloads. Additionally, I studied electrical arcs and the transient phenomena during switching moments, focusing on static and dynamic theories, and methods for extinguishing electrical arcs. This course also covered the basics of designing and developing electrical apparatus and devices, understanding the construction of components like busbars and switching devices, and examining the current state and future trends in switchgear technology. I learned about technical documentation and project design principles, aiming to equip students with the ability to analyze and design new electrical devices.

Electric Drives

In the Electric Drives course, I studied the elements of electric drives, focusing on steady-state characteristics of motors and loads, stable and unstable operating points, and basic equations of motion. The course covered various types of DC motors, including separately excited, shunt, series, compound, and permanent magnet motors. I learned about their speed-torque characteristics and factors affecting motor speed. The course also covered induction motors, including cage-type and wound rotors, and their speed-torque characteristics. Additionally, we explored the dynamics of electric drives, focusing on transient phenomena, energy loss computations, and thermal protection methods. The objective was to understand the theoretical foundations and practical applications of electric drives.

Information Security Fundamentals

This course covered the principles and goals of information security, starting with the basics of cryptography, including key concepts, technologies, and protection approaches. I learned about the public key infrastructure (PKI), covering trust models, digital certificates, and digital signatures. We studied various types of malware and internet scams, understanding their workings and threats. Network security was another major focus, where we explored risks, types of attacks, and security protocols. The course also addressed web security, secure architectures, and planning security requirements, including aspects like privacy, standards, and policy development. We explored security in various environments, including mobile devices and the Internet of Things (IoT). The objective was to enable students to identify and mitigate security risks in information systems.

Control Systems I

In this course, I explored the elements of continuous systems, focusing on fundamental signals and linear systems. We studied modeling techniques for open loop and closed loop systems, and assessed the stability, controllability, and observability of linear continuous control systems using criteria like Routh and Hurwitz. We analyzed control systems in both time and transformed domains, using tools like Bode diagrams, polar diagrams, and Nyquist diagrams. The course covered the design of control systems, including phase-lead, phase-lag, and phase lead-lag compensation controllers, as well as PID controllers. We also explored control system design in state space, using methods like pole assignment and designing observers. Practical skills in using MATLAB/SIMULINK for control system synthesis were emphasized. The objective was to develop proficiency in control design using various analytical techniques and tools.

Introduction to Circuit Analysis

In this course, I learned about the definitions, properties, and limitations of linear circuits, along with basic electrical signals. We explored network topologies, describing circuits topologically, and set up and solved systems of equations for electrical circuits using classical methods like the mesh-current and node-voltage methods. The course also included sensitivity analysis of circuit responses and analysis using unit step and unit impulse responses. We studied various analysis techniques, including classical, AC, and spectral analysis. The characterization of circuits, including two-port and three-terminal elements, and extensions to n-port and (n+1)-terminal circuits, was a significant part of the course. We focused on circuit transfer functions, equivalent two-port circuit models, and power gain. The course also covered linear active circuits, including their characterization, analysis, and techniques like parallel merging and Miller’s theorem. The objective was to familiarize students with the principles of analyzing both passive and active linear circuits.

During my five-month exchange at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in Maribor, Slovenia, I immersed myself in five key courses: Electrical Devices and Power Systems, Electric Drives, Control Systems I, Information Security Fundamentals, and Introduction to Circuit Analysis. In the Electrical Devices and Power Systems course, I gained insights into the operation, design, and development of electrical systems, focusing on transient phenomena and failure analysis. The Electric Drives course covered various motor types, their control methods, and dynamics, including energy loss and thermal protection strategies.The Information Security Fundamentals course introduced me to the principles of protecting information systems. I studied cryptography, network and web security, and addressed challenges in mobile and IoT security environments. This course emphasized identifying threats and implementing effective security mechanisms.In Control Systems I, I explored the stability and control of continuous systems. I learned to use Bode plots, Nyquist diagrams, and state-space methods to design and analyze control systems. Practical skills were honed through MATLAB/SIMULINK for control system prototyping. Finally, the Introduction to Circuit Analysis course provided a solid grounding in both passive and active circuit analysis. I covered network topologies, circuit characterization, and transfer functions, along with practical analysis techniques like AC and spectral analysis. This exchange program enriched my technical expertise and practical skills, equipping me to tackle complex engineering challenges with a comprehensive and integrated approach.

Aïmane Zelloufi
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Student from: Reims, France
Period of exchange: February 2024 – July 2024