PWM impacts on the Reliability of DC/DC Converters with High-Frequency Transformer

In the framework of the More Electric Aircraft, high efficiency and high reliability are the main concerns. Different standard exists regarding voltage and frequency of the electrical power distribution system, but DC systems are attracting an increased interest. In this context, the voltage conversion is normally implemented by means of a high-frequency isolated DC/DC power converters. However, the high-frequency waveforms generated by the power electronics may trigger partial discharge phenomena in the windings of the transformer, decreasing the reliability. This paper attempts to model the lifetime of a Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter for aerospace applications