Yuchen (Michael) He

In 2019, Yuchen started his Ph.D. program at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL, where he joined the Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS), a multidisciplinary research center organized to perform basic and applied research to advance the field of power systems technology.

I have been using PSIM since the first day of my Ph.D. program in the Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS). Our research projects include DC circuit breaker, grid-forming, and grid-connected converters, MMC, and motor drive, from several hundred watts to MW.

What differentiates PSIM from others is the fact that it is such a professional, reliable, accurate, and power electronics-oriented simulation tool that empowers you to test crazy ideas and to de-risk high power tests.

Following are some features that I use quite extensively during my research:

(1) Various switching models:

Every time we test new ideas, we start with the ideal switching model as it gives us insights as to how this circuit would work. When the rubber meets the road, we need a model that is more comprehensive to the extent where it would capture all the non-ideal features and contingencies that could happen in the physical test. A level-2 model that is sufficiently accurate but much easier than getting a SPICE model exactly fits this need.

(2) Code generation:

Coding is one of the most challenging parts to transition from the simulation to a physical prototype as it requires tons of effort in terms of debugging and reading the datasheet of different controller functions. This transition, however, is seamless and effortless with the PSIM code generation. Plus, the readability of the generated code is better than any existing auto-code generation tool, and therefore you can easily modify the code based on your own needs.

(3) Customer service and help documentation:

Tutorials, routinely hosted webinars, and help documents accelerate the learning curve for beginners. The examples often are the ones you can easily change or modify to accommodate your own needs. Sometimes those examples are already what you need. The technical support from Albert Dunford is just phenomenal since he is so knowledgeable and approachable and can easily solve the issues that bug you for a long time, right off the bat.

I am so grateful to have this unbeatable product in my research journey. Having these amazingly talented people who are the backbone of this product is just the icing on the cake.