SiC Half-Bridge Modules to Improve Efficiency and Reduce Area of High-Power Motor Drives in Space

This work proposes SiC half-bridge modules to improve the high-power motor drive systems in space. The high current capability of the modules allows to reduce the number of required components, reducing the required PCB area. Using analytical loss calculation models the losses and the efficiency of the Si and SiC configurations is calculated, obtaining better results with the SiC due to the lower conduction losses, even if the voltage rating of the devices is severely derated to avoid single event burnouts in the space application.