Performance evaluation of 3-phase buck-type PWM rectifiers with integratted and symmetrical Boost converter using SiC MOSFETS for aircraft application

Abstract

This paper investigates the use of a 3-Phase Buck Type PWM Rectifier with an Integrated and symmetrical Boost converter for generation of the +/-270V dc bus used in new aircraft power networks. The two main targets when designing and building power converters for aircraft applications are high reliability and reduced weight. In this study the use of high voltage 1.2kV SiC MOSFET allows the converter to switch at higher frequency with the consequent possibility of employing lighter and smaller passive filters, which significantly reduce size and weight of the converter system. A 4.5kW prototype has been specifically designed and built to demonstrate the performance and advantage of the SiC MOSFET implementation.

Silicon Carbide Converters and MEMS Devices for High-temperature Power Electronics: A Critical Review

“…SiC converters and MEMS devices face the challenge of a minimum of parasitic parameter and capability of operating in a high-temperature environment. Due to the fast switching speed and low threshold voltage, SiC devices are deeply affected by the inherent and line parasitic parameters, which requires the packaging design to minimize the length of pin and wire, but the compact layout reduces the area of dissipation [91]. Likewise, the packaging technology is also a challenge to the fabrication of SiC devices for high-temperature applications.…”

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

“…While this type of approach are relatively simple, they require the use of extensive filter components to achieve the required harmonic performance (for example, both Airbus and Boeing have strict control son current harmonics for equipment connecting to the aircraft power network). In modern power electronics systems, therefore, more sophisticated approaches, for example based a PWM rectifier approach [32] or [33], where the rectifier is integrated with a Buck-type converter. The key advantage of the use of SiC converters was highlighted in [32], where the increase in frequency and resulting reduction in passive component size (and weight) as a direct consequence.…”

“…In modern power electronics systems, therefore, more sophisticated approaches, for example based a PWM rectifier approach [32] or [33], where the rectifier is integrated with a Buck-type converter. The key advantage of the use of SiC converters was highlighted in [32], where the increase in frequency and resulting reduction in passive component size (and weight) as a direct consequence. The common topology used is based on the Vienna switching technique (3-level 3-phase rectifier with active PWM switch control on each phase) [34].…”