15kVA three-phase motor drives for more-electric aircraft

Microchip is aiming at 15kVA actuators in more-electric aircraft with a pair of three-phase power drive assemblies with silicon carbide power components.

Both consists of a power module soldered to driver board

“The companion gate driver boards are designed to be integrated with [power] modules to provide an all-in-one motor drive solution for the electrification of systems such as flight controls, braking and landing gear for drones to all-electric aircraft,” according to the company.

Both power modules use silicon IGBTs for their solenoid drive, soft-start and braking (diagram left).

“We developed the companion gate driver boards to be used with our existing hybrid power drive modules to bring to market a plug-and-play power solution for more-electric aircraft,” said Microchip v-p Leon Gross. “Customers no longer need to design and develop their own drive circuitry.”

The gate driver boards are isolated and only require a single 15Vdc supply – other necessary voltages are generated on the card – and operate over -55 to +110°C.

LVDS (low-voltage differential signalling) external PWM signals are expected, compliant with TIA/EIA-644.

Differential outputs include telemetry for DC bus current, phase current and solenoid current – the shunts are in the power module, alongside a pair of PT1000 temperature sensors, whose outputs are also brought out through the drive board.

Protections include: shoot-through detection, short-circuit, desaturation, under-voltage lock-out and active miller clamping.

“These high-reliability devices are tested to conditions outlined in DO-160, ‘Environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment’,” said Microchip.

Find the 15kVA integrated actuator drives through this web page, and there are two data sheets: 540V and 270V