Constant frequency aircraft electric power systems with harmonic reduction

The ever-increasing number of power electronic converters connected to the aircraft electric power system significantly increases harmonic levels and voltage transients in that system. Stringent limits on harmonic current distortion and perturbation of the aircraft electric power supply demands accurate simulation and development of high performance filters for the mitigation of harmonics and minimization of system transients. This paper presents the simulation, modeling, and transient analysis of conventional and advanced aircraft electric power systems with harmonic mitigation using passive harmonic filters. The aircraft electric power system is analyzed considering equivalent passive AC and DC loads under transient and steady state operating conditions. The electric power source is simulated by a controlled motor-generator set to provide a constant frequency and a constant output voltage source. The DC power is generated using 12-pulse converters. Moreover, to mitigate the harmonics generated by the converters a passive input filter is designed to meet the harmonic standards for the AC side of the aircraft electric power system.