e-Newsletter-August 2026

 

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

The Digital Brain of an Electric Vehicle: DSP Architecture and Motor Control

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.

3.2 Field-Oriented Control and PI Controllers

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.