A Cascade Multilevel Configuration for Commercial Transport Aircraft

In this paper a novel configuration of energy conversion system suitable for supplying the electricity power system of commercial transport aircraft is presented. Proposed power conversion unit configuration is aimed to improve the power quality and reliability reducing, at the same time, its volume and weight. In particular, a cascade and asymmetric multilevel configuration, characterised by the generation of 400 Hz voltage supply with twenty one different levels and an rated amplitude of 115 V, is reported. The implementation of a pulse amplitude modulation technique allows the generation of an output voltage shape with a high frequency total harmonic distortion under 5%. In the present paper the asymmetric multilevel configuration and its modulation technique is reported with the proposal of integration of this structure in the actual electricity power system of commercial transport aircraft.