Optimization of a DC/DC dual active bridge converter for aircraft application

Avionics is intended to become more and more efficient in terms of energy saving thanks to increased efficiency of embedded system. Today, electricity is presented as the best energy vector compared to hydraulic or pneumatic. This is why current researches aim to focus on power electronic converters in order to meet the future electrical power demand in aircraft networks. In this article, the authors investigate a DC/DC dual active bridge converter which is expected as the best candidate to meet the complex requirements of an aircraft environment, especially the high-voltage dynamics. This persuaded the researchers to study the structure and modulations which are explained and brought face to face with a low-power prototype in order to validate the theoretical assumptions. The next step, is a 3.75 kW demonstrator specification with high integration (2 kW/kg). Semiconductor, magnetics and thermal management selection are presented to reach the specifications. Special care has been provided in an original capacitance calculation method and thermal considerations for heatsink choice. The originality of this work is to build active conversion system to prove it suits to aircraft specifications (high voltage dynamics, overload).