Advanced avionics applications simulation platform (AAASP) for accurate aircraft systems simulation

Abstract

A persistent problem for Aircraft Manufacturers has been the difficulty in carrying out accurate and robust simulations of the complete aircraft power network, while including numerous models from a variety of individual equipment suppliers. Often the models are of variable or low quality, with ill-defined parameters or behavior, and in many cases of the wrong level of abstraction to be appropriate for large scale network simulations. In addition, individual equipment suppliers often provide poor models for network integration, with a common issue being low robustness of models leading to lack of convergence, excessive simulation times and delays in development due to the need for rework and extensive testing of these models. In order to address this specific issue a complete library of power electronic system models for Aerospace applications has been developed that encompasses the range of functions from elementary components (passives, devices, switches and magnetic components), intermediate building blocks (rectifiers, inverters, motors, protection devices) and finally complete system models (variable frequency starter generators, power converters, battery and storage elements, transformers). These models have been developed in partnership with several key aircraft equipment suppliers and in partnership with Airbus to ensure that the resulting models are complete and robust. Specific equipment models were also developed in this library including permanent magnet generators, synchronous machines, environmental control systems, wing ice protection systems, power electronic modules and advanced power protection systems. The specific models have been validated against reference and measured data to ensure that they are consistent and accurate. This paper will describe the techniques used to achieve more robust models, using model based engineering, the integration of specific equipment models into the complete aircraft network and the validation of the behavior against measured results. The paper will provide the results of a complete aircraft power network highlighting how the individual models are integrated into the overall network model and the inherent robustness ensure effective, accurate and robust simulations.

Advanced aircraft power electronics systems — The impact of simulation, standards and wide band-gap devices

“…One side-effect of the increased electrification of aircraft has been the embedding of advanced design techniques such as modelling and simulation into the design process. This has become an integral aspect of the delivery of hardware to the extent that the major aircraft manufacturers have moved to become integrators of major systems and with the increase in electrification required to use simulation to validate the performance of all electrical equipment prior to integration of the hardware itself [4].…”

“…Much work has therefore been carried out to implement active power filters (APF) that can mitigate some of the worst harmonics and improve the overall aircraft power network quality. A complete aircraft power network can also be analyzed to ensure that both network stability and transient behaviour are within limits such as using the AAASP framework in [4] as shown in Fig. 2.…”