Application of Low Harmonic 18-Pulse Rectifier Power Supply for Radar Power System

Due to its low harmonic, high efficiency, and high power factor (PF), the multipulse autotransformer has been frequently used in the aviation sector. Many studies have been carried out on the theoretical calculation and simulation analysis of the autotransformer. However, the practical application of the multipulse rectifier in the practical engineering field is inevitable. This paper investigates an 18-pulse rectifier power supply of 11 kW being constructed using a multipulse autotransformer to suppress the harmonics of a radar power system, in which the parameters of the various parts are designed in detail, and test results are simulated using MATLAB/Simulink software. The actual test suggests that, at the rated condition, the PF of the rectifier is 0.99, the total harmonic distortion of the input current is below 6.7%, and the efficiency is more than 96%. The power supply is successfully applied to the radar power supply system of a large transport aircraft, and meets the requirements of an environmental test. Furthermore, the results also provide powerful application support for the power supplies and distribution systems in other fields.

I. Introduction

Power electronic devices have become the largest harmonic sources, and rectifier devices are the largest proportion of all kinds of power electronic devices. The applications of inverters, direct current (dc) chopper converters and dc–dc converters have also increased. The dc power supply needed by these devices mainly comes from the rectifier circuit; thus, its harmonic problem is also a key issue. In this kind of device, the use of the switching power supply, the uninterruptible power supply, and the voltage type converter is constantly increasing, and the harmonic pollution problem of the power grid is gradually becoming increasingly prominent [1], [2].