FPGA-Based FDNE Models for the Accurate Real-Time Simulation of Power Systems in Aircrafts

The advancements in aircraft technology, particularly the increased electrification of aircraft, have introduced complexities in designing and integrating electrical systems. Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation is recognized as a crucial tool in the aerospace industry, utilizing Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) for their high-speed data processing and low latency. This paper presents a method for accurate real-time simulation of cable harnesses in modern aircrafts, employing Frequency-Dependent Network Equivalent (FDNE) models and FPGAs. The implementation methodology and results of the FPGA-based HIL simulation are presented and discussed. Various equivalent models with different data types are evaluated to determine achievable time-step and resource consumption. Results show the effectiveness of the proposed method in achieving sub-microsecond time-step.