Optically Powered Switch for Electric Actuator Control Applications

Silicon carbide power electronics are required in a variety of Air Force missions such as enabling the development of the More Electric Aircraft (MEA) and advancing the development of space-based vehicles and systems that have high temperature and highpower operating conditions. A true FBL (Fly-By-Light)/PBW (Power-By-Wire) system will require a simple lightweight interface in which components of a vehicle management system are controlled optically and powered electrically. Two light activatedtransistors based on silicon carbide are proposed in this Phase II program. A Darlington pair and an IGBT based design capable of switching current loads up to 150A will be modeled and fabricated during this program. The device design is based on systemrequirements for typical actuator control systems. A key near term goal for the program is to enable a photonic vehicle management system for the Air Force's Advanced Vehicle Management Program. Initial system analyses of vehicle management systems showthat significant weight savings may be obtained using the light activated device (up to 32 lbs per actuator). A well-focussed team with Taitech, Inc., the University of Cincinnati and CREE Research, Inc. has been assembled to pursue a path towardcommercialization of the proposed device.High power optical switches are essential for future air and space vehicles to provide improved performance without significant cost increase such as the More Electric Aircraft (MEA). Such switching technologies also are desirable for high temperatureapplications in power plants, microwave electronics for radar communications and space-based communication systems. The proposed device is essential for enabling future lightweight aircraft control systems.