Modelling and Comparative Analysis of Power Electronic Component Topologies in Electrified Aircraft Propulsion

Abstract

Increasing performance demands in emerging power electronics applications, such as electric aircraft, necessitate a systematic approach for evaluating and comparing different DC-DC converter and inverter topologies. This work presents a methodology based on semi-analytical sizing tools to facilitate this comparison. These tools are used to size the sub-components of various topologies and to estimate key quantitative metrics, such as power density and efficiency. A weighted evaluation framework, combining these quantitative results with qualitative criteria, is then used to rank the topologies at both the power-electronic and powertrain levels, with a primary focus on the former. The results of the comparative study identify the three-level neutral-point clamped (NPC), active NPC (ANPC), and T-type NPC (TNPC) as the most favourable inverter topologies for the defined mission profile. For the DC-DC converter, the three-level flying capacitor (FC) topology is shown to be superior to the conventional boost converter.