HOD Corner
It gives me immense pleasure to present the August
2026 edition of the Electrical Engineering Department e-Newsletter. This month
has been marked by a vibrant blend of academic learning, industry exposure,
student achievements, research accomplishments, and meaningful alumni
engagement.
Our expert lectures on industry readiness, career
opportunities in Japan, and control panel design provided students with
valuable insights beyond the classroom and helped them understand the
expectations of the professional world. The industrial visits and regular
internship progress reviews further strengthened our focus on experiential
learning and industry–academia interaction.
I am particularly pleased to see the continued
support of our alumni. The Silver Jubilee Alumni Scholarship instituted by the
2001 batch is a wonderful example of how our alumni can contribute to the
growth and success of the next generation of engineers. Such initiatives
strengthen the enduring bond between the department and its alumni.
The achievements of our students and faculty,
including placements, research publications, and alumni interactions, are a
reflection of our collective commitment to continuous learning and excellence.
I also appreciate the efforts of our faculty members, students, and the
newsletter team in documenting and sharing these activities.
As we move forward, our endeavor will remain to
create an environment where students learn by doing, connect with industry,
pursue innovation, and grow with confidence. I hope this newsletter
provides a glimpse of the enthusiasm, efforts, and achievements of our
Electrical Engineering family.
Department Events
Expert Lecture on “Industry Ready Engineers” Conducted for TY Electrical Engineering Students (Div A & B) on 08/08/2026!
An Expert
lecture has been
arranged in association with IET on campus organized of electrical department
on “Industry Ready Engineers” for TY Electrical Division A and
B students and staff of the department on 8/8/2026. Resource Person: Mr Manoj Mandlik, Technology
Centre Manager, ABB, Nashik. Total No. of Students present = 99. The expert lecture by Industry Ready Engineers
provided students with valuable exposure to current industrial practices,
emerging technologies, workplace requirements, and the latest trends in the
engineering field. The session helped students understand the practical
application of theoretical concepts and bridge the gap between academic
learning and industry expectations. It enhanced their technical knowledge,
problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, communication skills, and
professional awareness. The interaction with industry experts also enabled
students to understand real-world challenges, project requirements, quality
standards, safety practices, and the importance of teamwork and continuous
learning. The lecture motivated students to develop industry-relevant
competencies, improve their employability, and prepare themselves for
successful careers in the engineering sector.
Expert Lecture on “Road to Japan: Career Opportunities for Engineers in Japan” Conducted for TY Electrical Engineering Students on 12/08/2026!
An Expert
lecture has been
arranged in association with IET on campus organized of electrical department
on “Road to Japan: Career Opportunities for Engineers in Japan ” for TY
Electrical Division: B students
and staff of the department on 12/8/202. Resource
Person: Mr. Jagdish
Shinde, Founder, Samurai Language Gurukul. Total No. of Students present = 62. The expert lecture “Road to Japan: Career
Opportunities for Engineers in Japan” provided students with valuable
insights into career opportunities for engineers in Japan. It helped students
understand the technical skills, professional competencies, Japanese language
proficiency, and workplace culture required to pursue engineering careers in
Japan. The session also guided students
regarding career preparation, job opportunities, interview skills, and the
overall pathway to working in Japan. It motivated students to develop
industry-relevant skills, improve their communication abilities, and explore
international career opportunities for their professional growth.
Expert Lecture on “Control Panel Design” Conducted for TY Electrical Engineering Students on 13/08/2026!
An Expert
lecture has been
arranged in association with the IEEE Student Chapter of the Electrical Department
on “Control Panel Design” for TY Electrical Division A and B students and staff of the
department on 13/8/2026. Resource Person:
Mr.Shrikant Jadhav, Sr. Design Engineer, Engineers Training Academy.
Total No. of Students present = 129. The
expert lecture on “Control Panel Design” provided students with practical
insights into the design, layout, and functioning of electrical control panels
used in industries and automation systems. The expert explained key components
such as circuit breakers, contactors, relays, PLCs, and wiring systems, along
with safety standards and design considerations for efficient operation.
Students learned about panel schematic preparation, selection of components
based on load requirements, and cable management techniques. The session helped
bridge theoretical concepts with real-world applications, enhancing students’
understanding of industrial control systems and electrical design practices.
Silver Jubilee Alumni Scholarship 2001 Batch Award Ceremony!
The Department
of Electrical Engineering is proud to share a heartwarming initiative by the 2001
Batch Alumni, which has now taken shape as a meaningful scholarship program
for deserving students.
The alumni had
envisioned instituting a scholarship in April 2026 to support and
encourage meritorious students. This noble initiative became a reality on 8
August 2026, with the successful organization of the Silver Jubilee
Alumni Scholarship 2001 Batch Award Ceremony.
The ceremony was
graced by Hon. Director Dr. Keshav Nandurkar and Head of the
Department Dr. Ravindra Munje. Mr. Tejas Pagar and Mr.
Shivadarshan Kondekar were felicitated as the recipients of the prestigious
scholarship. The awards were presented by Dr. Manoj Mandlik and Shri
Sandeep Kulkarni, an alumnus of the 2001 batch.
The Department
expresses its sincere gratitude to the 2001 Batch Alumni for their
generous contribution and continued commitment to supporting and nurturing the
next generation of engineers. This initiative reflects the enduring bond
between the alumni and their alma mater and serves as an inspiring example of giving
back to society and supporting student success.
Student Corner
Celebrating Student Success! 🎉
We are delighted
to share that Mr. Prafulla Bhagat, a student of the Department of
Electrical Engineering, has been successfully placed with a reputed
multinational company (MNC) for the Academic Year 2026–27.
This achievement
reflects Praful’s dedication, perseverance, technical skills, and consistent
efforts towards building a successful professional career. His
accomplishment is a proud moment for the student and a testament to the
continuous efforts of the faculty, department, and institute in
supporting students’ career development.
Heartiest
congratulations to Mr. Prafulla Bhagat! 🎓👏
We wish him continued
success and a bright professional journey ahead. May this achievement mark
the beginning of many more milestones in his career.
A proud
moment for the student, faculty, department, and institute! 🌟
Industrial Visit to 132/33 kV Satpur MIDC
Substation - T.Y. Electrical
(Div. A)
On 14 August
2026, the Department of Electrical Engineering organized an industrial
visit to the 132/33 kV Satpur MIDC Substation, Nashik, for T.Y.
B.Tech. Electrical Engineering (Division A) students.
The visit
provided students with valuable exposure to the practical aspects of electrical
power transmission and distribution. Students observed substation
equipment, protection and switching arrangements, and safety practices,
enabling them to relate classroom concepts to real-world power system
applications.
Such industrial
visits play an important role in enhancing students’ practical knowledge,
technical curiosity, and industry readiness. The visit was coordinated by Dr.
Abhishek Srivastava and Prof. Rupali Milind Patil.
Learning
becomes more meaningful when students can see, observe, and experience the
concepts they study in the classroom.
Industrial Visit to 132/33 kV Satpur MIDC Substation – T.Y. Electrical (Div. B)
On 17 August 2026, the
Department of Electrical Engineering organized an industrial visit to the 132/33
kV Satpur MIDC Substation, Nashik, for T.Y. B.Tech. Electrical
Engineering (Division B) students.
The visit was conducted by Mr. Shashank Deore, Deputy
Executive Engineer, and provided students with valuable exposure to
the practical aspects of electrical power transmission and distribution.
Students observed substation equipment, protection and switching arrangements,
and safety practices, helping them connect theoretical concepts with real-world
applications.
Such industrial visits play an important role in enhancing students’
practical understanding, technical curiosity, and industry readiness.
The visit was coordinated by Dr. Abhishek Srivastava and Prof.
Rupali Milind Patil.
Internship Progress Review Visit to Technocrats Control Systems Pvt. Ltd.
On 17 August 2026, Dr.
Abhishek Srivastava visited Technocrats Control Systems Pvt.
Ltd., Nashik, to review the progress of students undergoing
internships at the organization.
During the visit, he interacted with Mr. Anup Pandav
and Mr. Rahul Minde, Industry Mentors, to discuss the
students’ performance, learning outcomes, and overall internship progress.
The students were actively engaged in their assigned activities and
gaining valuable practical exposure to industrial practices and the
professional work environment. The visit provided an excellent
opportunity to strengthen the industry–academia connect and
promote experiential learning.
Industry Internship Progress Visit to Powerinst Electromagnets Pvt. Ltd
On 14th
August 2026, Prof. Rupali Milind Patil visited Powerinst
Electromagnets Pvt. Ltd., Nashik, to review the internship progress and
learning outcomes of final-year students. During the visit, discussions with
the industry mentor focused on the students’ technical skills, work quality,
discipline, communication, teamwork, and overall professional performance.
The interaction
provided valuable insights into the students’ industry exposure and highlighted
opportunities to further strengthen industry–institute collaboration
through internships, live projects, expert interactions, and future industry
engagement.
Industry Internship Progress Visits
On 24th
August 2026, Prof. Ashwini Khaire and Prof. Nikhil Gaikwad
visited Neelay Industries, Powerinst Electromagnets Pvt. Ltd. – Unit 1 &
Unit 2, and Revamp Moto Pvt. Ltd. to review the progress and learning
experiences of students undergoing internships.
During the
visits, the faculty members interacted with industry experts and mentors
to understand the students’ technical learning, performance, involvement,
discipline, and overall progress.
Regular industry
interactions play an important role in ensuring that students gain meaningful
hands-on experience, professional exposure, and industry-relevant skills.
These visits also contribute to strengthening industry–institute
collaboration through continuous engagement and knowledge sharing.
We sincerely
appreciate the support, guidance, and valuable mentorship extended by our
industry partners towards the professional development of our students. 🌱⚡
Industry Internship Progress Visit to Fox Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
On 24th
August 2026, Dr. Prajakta Dhole and Prof. Hemant Patil
visited Fox Solutions Pvt. Ltd. to review the progress and learning
experiences of students pursuing their internships at the industry.
During the
visit, they interacted with industry professionals and mentors to
discuss the students’ technical learning, performance, involvement, and overall
internship progress. Such industry interactions provide valuable insights into
students’ workplace exposure and help ensure that their internship experience
contributes meaningfully to their professional development and industry
readiness.
We sincerely
appreciate Fox Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for providing our students with a
valuable opportunity to learn, explore, and gain hands-on real-world
industry experience. 🌱⚙️
Industry Internship Progress Visit to Vedant Engineering Services
On 25th
August 2026, Dr. Abhishek Srivastava, along with Dr. Anand Kumar,
visited Vedant Engineering Services and Progressive Enterprises Ltd.
to review the progress of students undergoing internships at the respective
organizations.
During the
visit, they interacted with Industry Mentors to discuss the students’ performance,
attendance, participation, learning, and overall progress. The mentors
reported that the students were progressing satisfactorily, regularly attending
the industry as per the prescribed schedule, and actively participating in
assigned activities.
The visit
provided valuable insights into the students’ practical exposure, learning
outcomes, industrial practices, and areas for further improvement. The
Industry Mentors were encouraged to continue providing appropriate guidance and
hands-on exposure throughout the remaining internship period.
Overall, the
students’ progress was found to be satisfactory, reflecting their
commitment to gaining meaningful industrial experience and developing essential
technical and professional competencies.
Faculty Corner
🎉 Congratulations on Research Publication!
The Department
of Electrical Engineering proudly congratulates Dr. Saravanan S. and
the co-authors on the successful publication of the research article “Maximizing
Photovoltaic Efficiency Using Dual Core Boost Converter and Artificial
Intelligence-Based MPPT” in Electric Power Systems Research
(Elsevier), a reputed SCI/SCIE-indexed international journal.
The research
highlights advancements in photovoltaic energy conversion, power
electronics, and AI-based Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), contributing
to the development of intelligent and efficient renewable energy systems.
This achievement
reflects the dedication, research excellence, and continuous pursuit of
innovation by the faculty and research team.
Heartiest
congratulations on this remarkable academic achievement! 🌟👏
Alumni Interaction with Ms. Diksha Aher on Placement Readiness
On 18 August
2026, the Department of Electrical Engineering was delighted to welcome its
proud alumna, Ms. Diksha Aher, for an inspiring interaction with Second-Year
Electrical Engineering students.
Recently placed
at Burns & McDonnell, Ms. Diksha shared valuable insights on interview
preparation, effective study strategies, and placement readiness. Her
practical guidance encouraged students to begin their preparation early, remain
consistent in their efforts, and set ambitious career goals.
The interaction
provided students with valuable perspectives from an alumna’s own placement
journey and further strengthened the alumni–student connect.
Student Article
Pradnya
Satish Bhandare TY-B, (Electrical)
psbhandare370624@kkwagh.edu.in
An
Electric Vehicle (EV) is not controlled only by its battery and motor. Sensors,
digital controllers, power electronics and feedback systems work together to
provide smooth and efficient operation. A Digital Signal Processor (DSP)
processes signals from the vehicle, performs control calculations and generates
commands for the motor inverter. This article explains the signal journey from
the accelerator pedal to the motor, including ADC, DSP processing, digital filtering,
PWM, inverter, closed-loop control, BMS and fault detection.
1. Introduction
The interesting
part of an EV is not only the battery or motor; it is the continuous
communication between the physical vehicle and its digital controller. When a
driver presses the accelerator, the action is converted into an electrical
signal. The controller interprets that signal, calculates the required torque
or speed response and commands the inverter. Sensors then measure the actual
response and send it back for correction. This is a real-time closed-loop
system.
Modern
motor-control digital signal controllers commonly combine a processor core with
high-speed ADCs and motor-control PWM peripherals. Such hardware is
specifically intended for fast control of motors including PMSM, BLDC and
induction motors.
Fig 1. Simplified EV DSP Signal Journey
2. From Driver Command to Digital Data
The accelerator position is
normally measured by an accelerator position sensor (APS). The sensor produces
an electrical signal related to pedal position. Similar sensing is used for
motor current, DC-link voltage, rotor position or speed and temperature. These
signals form the information layer of the control system.
2.1 Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC)
Most physical
measurements are analog, while the DSP executes numerical calculations. The ADC
is the bridge between the two domains. Three useful steps are sampling,
quantization and encoding.
•
Sampling: the analog signal is measured at discrete
time instants.
•
Quantization: each sample is assigned to one of the
available amplitude levels.
•
Encoding: the selected level is represented as a binary
number.
For
a 12-bit ADC, the ideal number of discrete codes is 2¹² = 4096. The actual
usable accuracy also depends on the ADC architecture, reference, noise, signal
conditioning and other implementation details.
Fig 2. Analog to Digital Conversion
2.2 Sampling and Signal Quality
Sampling must be
fast enough to represent the signal being measured. The Nyquist principle
states that the sampling frequency should be greater than twice the highest
frequency component of interest. In a motor-control system, the practical
sampling rate is selected from the required control bandwidth, switching
frequency, sensor dynamics and processor capability.
2.3 Why Signal Conditioning Matters
The raw sensor
signal can contain switching noise, electromagnetic interference and
measurement errors. Analog conditioning may be used before the ADC, while
digital filtering can be applied after conversion. Good sampling and filtering
are important because a controller can only make a reliable decision when its
input data is reliable.
This creates the
first important engineering chain:
Physical quantity → Sensor → Signal conditioning → ADC → Digital data.
3. The DSP: Processing the Motor-Control Problem
After the ADC produces digital
values, the controller performs the calculations needed for motor control. A
common high-performance approach for PMSM and related AC motor drives is
Field-Oriented Control (FOC). FOC uses mathematical transformations so that the
controller can regulate motor variables in a rotating reference frame.
Fig 3. Simplified DSP Processing Chain
3.1 Clarke and Park Transformations
Three-phase currents are first represented in a two-axis stationary reference frame using the Clarke transformation. The Park transformation then rotates this representation into a d-q reference frame. In this frame, the controller can regulate components associated with flux and torque more conveniently. The transformations are mathematical tools that simplify the control problem; they do not physically change the motor currents.
FOC uses measured currents and rotor position or an estimated position to determine the required voltage commands. Inner current-control loops are commonly implemented with PI controllers, while a speed loop can generate the current or torque reference. The exact control structure depends on the motor and application. Microchip's motor-control documentation describes DSCs with DSP engines, fast ADCs and PWM peripherals for FOC and precise speed, position and torque control.
3.3 Digital Filtering
The controller may also filter measured signals. FIR (Finite Impulse Response) and IIR (Infinite Impulse Response) filters are two common digital-filter families. Filter selection is a design trade-off involving computational load, delay, phase behaviour, stability and noise attenuation. Excessive filtering can introduce delay, so the filter must be designed together with the control loop.
3.4 Why Fast Real-Time Processing is Needed
Motor current
and position can change rapidly. The controller must complete sensing,
calculation and PWM-update tasks within a predictable time. Dedicated
motor-control DSCs are designed with peripherals such as fast ADCs,
high-resolution PWM and DSP acceleration specifically to support this type of
deterministic real-time control.
Thus, the DSP is best understood as the computational centre of the control loop: it turns measurements and commands into a continuously updated motor-control decision.
4. From Digital Command to Motor Torque
4.1 PWM Generation
The DSP cannot
directly apply the high voltage required by a traction motor. Instead, it
produces PWM commands. PWM represents the desired switching behaviour using
digital pulses whose duty cycle and timing are controlled by the processor. The
PWM outputs are passed through gate-drive circuits to the power switches of the
inverter.
For three-phase drives, PWM methods such as sinusoidal PWM and Space Vector PWM (SVPWM) can be used. The selected method, switching frequency and modulation strategy depend on the power stage, motor and performance requirements.
4.2 Three-Phase Inverter
The traction
inverter is the power interface between the DC battery and the AC traction
motor. It switches the DC bus to create controlled multiphase voltage and
current. Texas Instruments describes the EV traction inverter as a central part
of the EV powertrain and notes that the control processor samples
voltage/current, executes FOC and actuates power switches through PWM.
The chain is therefore: DSP → PWM → Gate Driver → Power Switches → Three-Phase Inverter → Motor.
4.3 Feedback: Closing the Loop
After the motor
receives power, the controller still needs to know what actually happened.
Current sensors provide electrical feedback, while speed or position sensing
provides mechanical information. The controller compares the reference with
measured values and corrects the command when an error occurs.
Fig 4. Closed-Loop EV Motor Control
For example, if the requested speed
is higher than the measured speed, the speed-control loop produces an error.
The controller responds by changing the torque-producing command, which changes
the PWM and inverter output. When the measured speed approaches the reference,
the error reduces.
4.4 Power-Semiconductor Technology
The inverter may use silicon (Si)
or wide-bandgap devices such as silicon-carbide (SiC) MOSFETs, depending on the
system requirements. Device choice affects switching loss, thermal design,
efficiency, cost and electromagnetic behaviour. [4]
This shows why EV control cannot be
treated as software alone: the digital controller, sensing system and
high-power switching stage must be designed as one control system.
5. BMS, SOC and Fault Detection
5.1 Battery Management System
The Battery
Management System (BMS) supervises the battery pack. Its monitoring functions
can include cell voltage, pack current and temperature. It also supports
protection and cell balancing. The BMS therefore provides a second major
control layer alongside traction-motor control.
Fig 5. Simplified BMS and Fault Detection Path
5.2 State-of-Charge Estimation
State of Charge
(SOC) represents the estimated remaining usable charge of the battery. A simple
technique is Coulomb counting, which integrates current over time. Model-based
approaches such as Kalman-filter methods can combine measurements with a battery
model. Data-driven approaches, including neural networks, can also be used when
suitable training data are available.
No single SOC
method is perfect under every operating condition. Sensor offset, temperature,
battery ageing and model mismatch can influence the estimate. For this reason,
practical battery-management systems use carefully designed estimation and
validation methods.
5.3 Fault Detection and Functional Safety
A real-time EV
controller must detect abnormal signals and respond safely. Examples include
excessive current, abnormal cell voltage, excessive temperature, sensor faults
and inverter-switching faults. A simplified fault path is: Signal input →
conditioning → limit or diagnostic check → protective action.
Automotive
functional safety is addressed by the ISO 26262 family for safety-related
electrical/electronic systems in road vehicles. ISO describes the standard as
covering functional-safety activities across the vehicle development lifecycle,
including system, hardware and software development.
5.4 Complete EV Digital Architecture
Putting the
sections together gives a useful system-level picture: sensors acquire physical
information; ADCs digitize it; the DSP executes filtering and control
algorithms; PWM and gate drivers command the inverter; the inverter supplies
the motor; and feedback returns measured information to the controller. In
parallel, the BMS monitors battery conditions and protection logic supervises
faults. This architecture is the key idea of the article: an EV is a tightly
coupled cyber-physical system in which digital computation continuously
interacts with electrical power and mechanical motion.
Fig. 6. Complete EV Digital Architecture
6. Practical Signal Journey: One Accelerator
Press
Consider a simple event: the driver
presses the accelerator to request more speed.
•
The accelerator position sensor detects the pedal
movement.
•
Signal conditioning and the ADC convert the sensor
output into digital data.
•
The DSP reads the new command and checks it against
operating limits.
•
FOC and speed/current control algorithms calculate the
required motor command.
•
The PWM module generates accurately timed switching
commands.
•
Gate drivers operate the inverter switches.
•
The inverter applies controlled three-phase electrical
power to the motor.
•
Current and speed/position sensors measure the actual
response.
•
The feedback is returned to the control algorithm,
which corrects the command continuously.
•
The BMS and diagnostic functions operate in parallel to
supervise battery and system safety.
7. Conclusion
The digital control system is one of the most important parts of a modern electric vehicle. The DSP or digital signal controller connects sensing, mathematical control and power electronics in real time. Starting from the accelerator command, the signal passes through sensing and ADC, is processed using filtering and motor-control algorithms such as FOC, and is converted into PWM commands for the inverter. The motor response is then measured and fed back to close the loop. Battery monitoring, SOC estimation and fault detection add further layers of supervision. Understanding this complete signal journey helps electrical engineering students see how DSP, control systems, power electronics, electric machines and battery technology work together in a real EV.