Analysis and Comparison of Bridgeless SEPIC Topologies operating in Discontinuous Conduction Mode for Power Factor Correction in Aircraft Power Systems

This paper presents the results of a comparison analysis among some topologies of the rectifier Single Ended Primary Inductance Converter (SEPIC) on Bridgeless configuration working in Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) for Power Factor Correction (PFC) in aircraft power systems, enabling thus the application of the More Electric Aircraft (MEA) concept. The PFC provides a better power quality in aircraft electrical systems and allows the match between aviation standards and AC-DC power conversion systems. Bridgeless configuration reduces the number of conducting diodes of the input rectifier bridge, minimizing thus conduction losses. DCM enables the control of the converter's DC output voltage without deploying current sensor, therefore, increasing the system's robustness and reliability. Converter's features such as Total Harmonic Distortion of the input current (THDi), input Power Factor (PF), efficiency and number of components are analyzed. Simulation results obtained with the PSIM software are provided for a design example of 115 V at the AC input, 270 V at the DC output and 650 W for the load, as well as preliminary experimental results are also shown. The converters control criteria are presented in MATLAB.