Wide Bandgap Semiconductor-Based Power Electronics for Aviation

Abstract

There is a growing trend in aircraft electrification, which can reduce green-house gas emissions, reduce audible noise, reduce maintenance needs, lower cost, and improve safety. Moving from mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic power to electric power requires architecture changes, more electric power, and improvements in electric power generation, distribution, and conversion. There are two main categories of aircraft electrification in aviation industry: the more-electric aircraft (MEA), which replaces secondary aircraft systems traditionally supplied by pneumatic, hydraulic, or mechanical power with electrical systems; and the electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP), which includes turbo-electric, hybrid-electric, and all-electric architectures.