Capacitors and aircraft power system considerations for higher temperature operation and Wide Bandgap enablement

The evolving and challenging demands placed on electronics when installed on a modern military Aircraft, driven largely by environment (high ambient heating, vibration, etc.) could not be any timelier for focused attention. To serve as an introduction on this topic, an overview of a modern aircraft (very generalized) power system that might leverage a high-power density Wide Bandgap-based (WBG) supply and the associated electrical usage needs that, in turn, drive thermal management challenges on electronics will set the opening stage. Capacitors can tend to contribute to larger volumes and, in some instances, can limit the operational temperature range of a WBG-based power supply on an aircraft due to a combination of factors such as: a) internally induced electrical stress (high ripple current induced) and/or b) high levels of ambient heating induced on a WBG-based power supply installed in an aircraft unpressurized bay without (or with little) cooling system access.