Diploma in SMPS/LDO: Control, Noise and Transients
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in SMPS/LDO design: control, noise and transients. 8 modules covering switched-mode topologies, LDO regulators, converter modelling and control, transient response, output noise and ripple, thermal design and layout, and safety and validation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Select switched-mode power supply topologies according to the application.
Design LDO regulators with high PSRR and low noise.
Model and compensate converter control loops.
Optimise the response to load and line transients.
Reduce output ripple and noise for sensitive loads.
Design the layout and thermal management of power stages.
Validate power supplies against safety and reliability requirements.
Who it's for
- Power electronics engineers designing DC-DC and AC-DC converters.
- Power supply designers who want a firm grasp of loop compensation and transients.
- Hardware engineers powering processors, FPGAs and sensitive analogue loads.
- Power management applications engineers supporting customer designs.
- Power validation engineers running load-step, ripple and thermal tests.
- Analogue design engineers moving into power conversion.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter consumer electronics.
What you'll work with
- IEC 62368-1:2018 (safety of audio/video, information and communication technology equipment)
- IEC 61204-3 (low-voltage DC power supplies: EMC)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/1782 (ecodesign requirements for external power supplies)
- IEC 61000-3-2:2018 (limits for harmonic current emissions)
- CISPR 32:2015 (emission requirements for multimedia equipment)
- ISO 16750-2:2023 (road vehicles: electrical loads and environmental conditions)
- LTspice
- TI WEBENCH Power Designer
- SIMetrix/SIMPLIS
- PSIM
8 modules
1.1Buck, boost and buck-boost1.2Isolated flyback and forward1.3LLC resonant topologies1.4Continuous and discontinuous conduction modes1.5Synchronous rectification and dead times1.6Multiphase converters and current sharing1.7Selecting MOSFET, GaN and SiC devices1.8Inductor and transformer design1.9Losses and efficiency1.10Lab: designing a buck converter with WEBENCH
2.1Architecture of an LDO2.2Dropout voltage and pass device2.3PSRR versus frequency2.4Output and reference noise2.5Stability with ceramic capacitors2.6Thermal dissipation and package2.7Quiescent current2.8LDO as an SMPS post-regulator2.9Selection for sensitive applications2.10Practical exercise: measuring the PSRR of an LDO
3.1State-space averaging and small-signal models3.2Voltage-mode control3.3Peak current-mode control3.4Slope compensation3.5COT and hysteretic control3.6Type II and Type III compensators3.7Phase and gain margin3.8Digital control of power supplies3.9Measuring the loop gain by injection3.10Lab: Type III compensation in SIMPLIS
4.1Load steps and specification4.2Bandwidth and recovery time4.3Output capacitors: ESR and ESL4.4Dynamic load of processors4.5Overshoot and maximum voltage droop4.6Soft start and sequencing4.7Line transients4.8Protections: overcurrent and overvoltage4.9Testing with an electronic load4.10Workshop: transient response of a multiphase regulator
5.1Switching ripple and harmonics5.2Broadband noise5.3Second-stage LC filters5.4Switching spikes5.5Noise on ADC and PLL supplies5.6Measuring ripple correctly5.7Probes and the short-tip technique5.8Switching frequency and synchronisation5.91/f noise in references5.10Practical exercise: second-stage filter for an ADC
6.1Hot loop and component placement6.2Planes and thermal vias6.3Calculating junction temperature6.4Heatsinks and airflow6.5Kelvin sensing and feedback6.6Separating power and signal grounds6.7Packages and thermal management6.8Thermal simulation of the board6.9Capacitor reliability6.10Lab: thermography of a converter
7.1Electrical safety according to IEC 62368-17.2Insulation, creepage and clearance distances7.3Efficiency and ecodesign7.4Automotive transients ISO 16750-27.5Cold-crank and dropout tests7.6Validation over temperature7.7Reliability and MTBF7.8Production testing7.9Power supply documentation7.10Case study: validating an automotive power supply
8.1Load specifications8.2Choice of topology8.3Control loop design8.4Selection of power components8.5LDO post-regulation design8.6Layout and thermal management8.7Transient and noise measurements8.8Validation report8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is LTspice, TI WEBENCH Power Designer, SIMetrix/SIMPLIS and PSIM, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for ripple and noise measurement with a short-tip probe, loop frequency response analysis and load-step testing. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: IEC 62368-1:2018, IEC 61204-3, Regulation (EU) 2019/1782, IEC 61000-3-2:2018, CISPR 32:2015, ISO 16750-2:2023.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with LTspice, TI WEBENCH Power Designer, SIMetrix/SIMPLIS and PSIM, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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