An Optimized GaN-Based DAB Converter for More Electric Aircraft

Reliability, efficiency, and control optimization are the key features of modernized aircraft. This paper proposes a control algorithm across various voltages and load conditions that maximizes the power transmission efficiency between the high voltage DC (HVDC) link and the low voltage (LV) network aboard the aircraft. The algorithm is developed for a Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based dual active bridge (DAB) converter, for more electric aircraft (MEA). GaN is considered for maximized efficiency, weight reduction and improved thermal performance. The dual phase shift (DPS) and extended phase shift (EPS) modulation techniques are optimized using Genetic Algorithm (GA) and verified through simulation. The optimization algorithm aims at minimizing the backflow power, peak current, and converter losses. Efficiency results of the DAB converter are presented and compared under different modulation techniques. The results are validated on a 4 kW GaN-Silicon (Si) DAB converter.