From Natural Language to Real Schematics: An Automated Workflow for Power Electronics Schematic Synthesis
Organizations: State Key Laboratory of Power System Operation and Control Department of Electrical Engineering Tsinghua University Beijing, China
Abstract
Designing power electronics converters traditionally requires intensive human expertise across topology sizing, commercial component selection, circuit simulation verification, and schematic drafting. While Large Language Models (LLMs) show promise in electronic design automation (EDA), applying standalone LLMs directly to board-level power electronics schematic synthesis suffers from severe engineering hallucinations, including inaccurate analytical sizing, fabricated or mismatched component part numbers, violated voltage derating margins, and broken topological connectivity. In this paper, we propose a Bounded Dual-Loop Automated Schematic Synthesis Framework that translates natural language specifications into verified, editable KiCad schematics and manufacturing deliverables. Our workflow integrates six stages across three functional columns: (1) requirement parsing and knowledge-driven power stage synthesis covering non-isolated (Buck, Boost) and isolated/resonant (Flyback, DAB, half-bridge LLC) topologies; (2) contract- and evidence-coordinated component selection grounded in distributor APIs and OEM datasheets, coupled with closed-loop ngspice transient verification and stress feedback; and (3) modular control hardware integration and multi-format deliverable generation featuring native KiCad netlist round-trip verification. End-to-end case studies on a 24-36V to 12V,2A Buck converter (29 positions, 83 verified terminals) and an isolated 48V to 24V, 0.5A, Dual-Active Bridge (DAB) converter (87 positions, 341 verified terminals), alongside comparative evaluations against a Vanilla LLM baseline, demonstrate that our framework improves component verification coverage from 22.2 to 98.6, nominal value consistency from 0 to 97.7, and SPICE simulation pass rates from 0 to 100.
Figures & tables
| Decision Node | Failure / Unmet Condition | Return Target (Figure 2 Label) | Corrective Action Taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decision 1: Selection Adequate? (Inner Loop) | Insufficient candidates or category mismatch | Stage 3: Candidate Pool ( Refine Query ) | Adjust search keywords; expand manufacturer scope or distributor API sources. |
| Missing critical parameters in candidate records | Stage 3: Evidence Verification ( Refine Query ) | Supplement datasheets; extract missing parameters; verify part identity and conditions. | |
| Candidate key ratings violate contract | Stage 3: Contract Matching ( Refine Query ) | Search for alternative commercial models satisfying electrical/thermal constraints. | |
| Design parameters unachievable by real COTS parts | Stage 2: Circuit Synthesis ( Re-design ) | Adjust permissible design parameters or physical configurations while keeping user specs fixed. | |
| Decision 2: Targets & Stress Verified? (Outer Loop) | Output voltage or ripple violates target tolerances | Stage 2: Circuit Synthesis ( Resize L/C ) | Retune passive values, reference modulation parameters, or structural configurations. |
| Simulated stress elevates device rating requirements | Stage 3: Component Selection ( Stress Feedback ) | Update contract at affected positions with simulated stresses; trigger targeted re-selection. |
| Category | Configuration / Setting |
|---|---|
| Default Workflow Engine | Deterministic parsing & topology sizing + basic real-part selection |
| Default Simulation Scope | Externally modulated power stage and gate driver ( ucc27714 adapter) |
| Basic Stress-Feedback Loop | Single-pass simulation-stress-informed component re-selection |
| Selection Tolerance Windows | Resistors: ; Inductors & Capacitors: |
| Baseline Derating Rules | Voltage: ; Current (MOSFET/Ind./Diode): |
| Circuit Simulator | ngspice 47 ( , , , ) |
| Functional Role (Designator) | Theoretical / Ref. | Selected Nominal | Verified Part Number (Mfr.) | Qty |
| Case Study I: Non-Isolated Buck Converter (29 physical positions, 22 unique MPNs in total) | ||||
| High-Side Switch ( QSW / Q1 ) | IPW60R041P6FKSA1 (Infineon) | 1 | ||
| Freewheeling Diode ( DFREE / D1 ) | UF3004-HF (Comchip) | 1 | ||
| Main Inductor ( LMAIN / L1 ) | 760800301 (Würth Elektronik) | 1 | ||
| Output Capacitor ( COUT / C1 ) | ( ) | EKXJ201ELL151MJ50S (Chemi-Con) | 1 | |
| Input Capacitor ( CIN / C2 ) | ( ) | C44AHFP5300ZC0J (KEMET) | 1 | |
| Case (Eval. Window) | Test Condition | Operating Point | Max Step | Mean (V) | Mean (A) | Ripple (V) / Status |
| Buck | vin_low | ( PASS ) | ||||
| (6.4–8.0 ms) | vin_high | ( PASS ) | ||||
| half_load | ( PASS ) | |||||
| fine_timestep | ( PASS ) | |||||
| DAB | nominal | ( ) | ( PASS ) | |||
| (4.8–6.0 ms) | fine_timestep | ( ) | ( PASS ) |
| Evaluation Metric | Proposed Framework | Vanilla LLM (One-Shot) |
|---|---|---|
| Verified Part Positions (All Enumerated Positions) | 98.6% (70 / 71) | 22.2% (4 / 18) |
| Verified Power-Core Component Positions † | 94.4% (17 / 18) | 15.4% (2 / 13) |
| Verified Unique Part Numbers (Deduplicated MPNs) | 100.0% (17 / 17) | 21.4% (3 / 14) |
| Source Nominal Value Consistency with Design Target | 97.7% (43 / 44) | 0.0% (0 / 7) |
| Reference Parameter Evidence Coverage (Audited Fields) | 97.0% (162 / 167) | 7.5% (4 / 53) |
| Switch Control Reference Consistency (Gate-Return to Source) | 100.0% (9 / 9) | 60.0% (3 / 5) |
| Audit Dimension | Case & Pos. | Vanilla LLM Output & Failure Mode | Proposed Framework Output & Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal Value Match | Buck R_ESR vs. RCS | RC0402FR-0710RL : Target , actual datasheet value is ( error , FAIL ). | SL1TTE3L9J : Target , actual part is ( Within window , PASS ). |
| Capacitor Voltage Derating | Buck CIN ( ) Buck COUT ( ) | T491A476K010AT : Rated bus . GRM32EC71A107KE15L : Rated out (Severe overvoltage conflict). | C44AHFP5300ZC0J : Rated . EKXJ201ELL151MJ50S : Rated (Sufficient safety margins). |
| Magnetic Realization | DAB T1 & L_SER | DAB_XFMR_2_1 & DAB_LEAKAGE_IND : Unverified custom text placeholders. | HPH6-0325L (4P:2S winding config.) & ATCA-01-101M-V : Verified COTS magnetics. |
| Controller Role & Ratings | Buck CONTROL | TPS54331DDCR : , integrated-FET IC misused for , external FET. | UCC28C53DR + UCC27714D : Verified current-mode PWM & gate driver. |
| Power-Stage Connectivity | Buck & DAB Netlists | Input/output nodes shunted only to caps; shorted gate sources ( Singular matrix, 0% sim pass ). | Complete power-stage & driver loop ( 100% convergence & spec pass ). |
Electronic Design Automation
Electronic Design Automation uses algorithms and software to design, verify, optimize, and manufacture electronic circuits and systems.
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