Work

Advancing High-Frequency Inverter Design in More Electric Aircraft: Challenges and Research Perspectives

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The transition toward aircraft electrification not only reduces the carbon footprint but also advances sustainable aviation, propelling the future of aviation with enhanced performance and system integration. In the realm of more electric aircraft (MEA), traditional hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical systems are being replaced by motor-driven electrical architectures. High-frequency inverters are essential for driving these motors at very high speeds ($>$100 kRPM). This article investigates the impact of the aviation environment on the design of high-frequency inverters, particularly considering the effects of low pressure, reduced air density, cosmic ray radiation, and a wide range of operating temperatures on semiconductor power devices and capacitive, resistive, and inductive components. The reduced air density at high altitudes makes cooling particularly challenging, highlighting the need for efficient thermal management systems. The study also explores electromagnetic interference, its generation and mitigation techniques while evaluating various pulsewidth modulation (PWM) technologies. Moreover, the article reviews the benefits and suitability of advanced multilevel inverter topologies for MEA applications. Finally, the article highlights the importance of innovative inverter topologies andPWM techniques that are better suited for MEA.

Source: IEEE Open Journal of the Industrial Electronics Society

DOI: 10.1109/ojies.2025.3597042

Authors: Muhammad Mohsin Naveed, Mian Sajawal Shah, Niek Moonen, Mark Gerber, Thiago Batista Soeiro

Institution: University of Twente

Language: English

Topic: Multilevel Inverters and Converters

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,075