Power density improvement and robust commutation for a 100 kW Si-SiC matrix converter

A 100 kW matrix converter designed for aerospace applications using Silicon Carbide schottky barrier diodes and silicon IGBTs to construct the power circuit is presented. Calorimetric methods will be used to determine improvements in switching losses with the final aim of reducing the size of the passive components. A robust commutation method which eliminates the need for extra external current direction sensors, further increasing the power density, is presented.