Application of SiC power electronic devices in secondary power source for aircraft

In order to improve the efficiency, reliability and maintainability of the aircraft, the aerospace world has found in progressive electrification that reduces or removes the hydraulic, mechanical and pneumatic power systems. Power devices are widely applied in power system, while conventional Si power devices have reached the theoretical limitation. Admittedly, many advantages, such as high breakdown electric field strength, high saturated electron drift velocity and high thermal conductivity can be seen from SiC semiconductor material, and SiC power electronic devices made of which can have the ability to adapt to high voltage, high power, high frequency, high temperature and other harsh environment. This paper presents an overview of SiC power electronic devices used for the secondary power source in aerospace, through the comparison of power electronic devices between SiC and Si, the advantages of SiC devices and the development are analyzed, on the basis of which, emphatically discussed the application status of SiC devices in secondary power source, including aeronautical static inverter, transformer rectifier unit, DC-DC converter, and motor drive. In the end, the existing problems in the application of SiC power electronic devices are discussed, as well as the impacts on aviation technology.