Design of 100 kVA SiC power converter for aircraft electric starter generator

Abstract

This paper proposes two suitable converter topologies for more electric aircraft (MEA) starter generator application. The commercially available silicon (Si) and silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor devices are also sourced to fit the given design requirements. Different possible configurations of the evaluated converter topologies are discussed. The rectifier design methodology is presented, considering device loss distribution, converter efficiency, required heatsink thermal resistance, dc-link capacitance sizing, delivered power quality and estimated gravimetric power density. The quantitative evaluations have demonstrated the beneficial needs of driving multilevel converter at higher switching frequency operation using SiC semiconductor technology.