Evaluation of power quality and common design concept for AC-DC converters in aircraft

Abstract: This master thesis has been carried out in collaboration with Saab, Avionics Systems in Jönköping, Sweden, during the spring of 2017. The thesis investigates unidirectional rectifier topologies in aircraft and the focus has been on evaluating the power quality requirements according to the aircraft standards, in the course of the More Electric Aircraft concept. Both passive and active power factor correction topologies are considered, discussed and compared. Simulation models are designed in MATLAB/Simulink and the procedures are presented. A modular concept regarding components is discussed where different power supplies and loads are considered. The simulations present both a passive 12-pulse auto-transformer rectifier unit and an active Delta-switch rectifier fulfilling requirements for aircraft such as the total harmonic distortion of the supply current. In addition, the input power factor is close to unity and an efficiency greater than 97% is obtained. Lastly, future aspects of each topology are discussed and necessary improvements to obtain realistic simulation models are presented.