Design and Implementation of GaN-based Dual-Active-Bridge DC/DC Converters

This paper presents the design and implementation of multicellular isolated bidirectional dual-active-bridge (DAB) DC/DC converters which are the core equipment of the European CleanSkyII Project ASPIRE. Both the primary and the secondary H-bridge circuits use gallium nitride (GaN) devices which enable high frequency operation. Between two H-bridge circuits is a planner transformer which is customized for the frequency range from 100kHz to 300kHz, saving the volume and weight. Three proportional integral controllers in parallel are also proposed to control the power transfer and compensate the DC offset values to the transformer, providing efficient operation in both buck and boost modes, allowing on-fly turn-on, turn-off and fast power reversal. Experiment results validate that the converters satisfy the requirements of the Project ASPIRE for the use in more electric aircrafts.