Reliability Assessment of Power Modules Across Mission Phases in Electric Aircraft Propulsion

The advancement in the development of high power density power converters is a major contributor towards electrified aircraft. Wide-bandgap power modules can drive this technology transition, yet ensuring reliability in the demanding aviation environment during early development is crucial. Balancing challenges such as high neutron flux and low-pressure environment-induced stress with high power density and low failure rates poses significant design challenges for power converter design. This paper evaluates failure rates of power modules for power converters in aircraft environments. The impact of junction temperature, voltage derating, and mission profile on reliability is assessed. Furthermore, an approach for a statistical failure rate assessment of SiC power modules during different phases of the flight is introduced.