Low-Altitude Aircraft Power Systems and Selection of SiC Devices

2024-08-12

Overview of Low-Altitude Aircraft Power Systems

Low-altitude aircraft, primarily referring to vehicles operating in urban and other low-altitude environments, rely on power systems that act as their "heart," supplying the necessary energy for flight. With the burgeoning development of the low-altitude economy, low-altitude aircraft, especially drones and electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL), are emerging as new forces in urban transportation. The power systems of these aircraft typically include four types: fuel, pure electric, hybrid, and hydrogen, each with its own advantages.

Main Types of Power Systems

1. Fuel Power Systems: Characterized by high load capacity and long endurance.

2. Pure Electric Power Systems: High level of intelligence and low noise.

3. Hybrid Power Systems: Combine the advantages of pure electric and fuel, offering stronger endurance.

4. Hydrogen Power Systems: Environmentally friendly, suitable for large aircraft.

Application of SiC Devices in Low-Altitude Aircraft

Silicon Carbide (SiC) power devices, known for their high voltage tolerance, low on-resistance, high thermal conductivity, and high-speed operation capabilities, show great potential in the power systems of low-altitude aircraft. These devices can enhance the efficiency of inverters, reduce system losses, and improve the power supply efficiency and operating frequency, thereby increasing the energy efficiency and endurance of the aircraft.

Advantages of SiC Devices

- High Voltage Tolerance: SiC devices can withstand higher voltages, reducing material thickness and weight, aligning with the need for lightweight design.

- Low On-resistance and High Thermal Conductivity: Capable of operating in high-temperature environments, reducing energy loss, and improving efficiency.

- High-Speed Operation Capability: Enhances the response speed and reliability of the motor control system.

Popular Available SiC Devices

There are various SiC MOSFET devices available for selection in low-altitude aircraft power systems, including:

1. Lipu SiC Modules of the ED3H Series: Specifically developed for the automotive and aircraft sectors, featuring 1200V voltage resistance and 800A current.

2. Wolfspeed's C3M0075120D Series SiC MOSFET: With an on-resistance of 75 milliohms and a breakdown voltage of 1200V, suitable for high-temperature operating conditions.

3. ROHM's SCT3080KLHR Series SiC MOSFET: On-resistance of 36 milliohms, with a wide operating temperature range, ideal for high-performance applications.

4. Infineon's AIMW120R080M1 Series SiC MOSFET: Automotive-grade products with low switching losses and high reliability.

5. ST's SCTW40N120G2VAG Series SiC MOSFET: Compliant with the AEC-Q101 standard, suitable for main inverters, etc.

6. Anbonsemi's AS1M080120P Series SiC MOSFET: Easy to parallel and drive, suitable for high-voltage DC-DC converters, etc.

Conclusion

Innovation in the power systems of low-altitude aircraft is key to propelling the development of the low-altitude economy. As technology advances and market demand grows, future aircraft power systems are trending towards higher efficiency, intelligence, and environmental friendliness. With their exceptional performance, SiC power devices have become an integral part of the power systems in low-altitude aircraft, heralding a broader development prospect for the low-altitude economy.

Semicon Trending Intergrated Circuit Component

AD9361BBCZ	ADI RF Agile Transceiver. Adi RF Agile Transceiver Suitable for a variety of wireless communication systems and application scenarios, it is designed for 3G and 4G base station applications to support high-speed data transmission and remote communication.
IMX206CQC-C	Sony HD CMOS image sensor chip High-resolution image capture capabilities, excellent image quality and color reproduction capabilities, support high-precision image detection and analysis Multi-scene adaptation, widely used in industrial automation, car camera assisted driving, action camera and aerial photography and other fields
H9TQ17ABJTCCUR-KUM	SK Hynix dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chip Includes 16GB eMMC flash memory and 16GB LPDDR3 memory Packaged with FBGA-221, the operating voltage range is 2.7V to 3.6V, and the operating speed is 200MHz With advanced data storage solutions, it is widely used in various electronic devices and systems