Reliability comparison of matrix and other converter topologies

Several rectifier-inverter and matrix converter topologies suitable for aerospace applications are compared, and their reliability is predicted. The military handbook MIL-HDBK-217E guidelines have been used to predictreliability. The matrix converter has several attractive features for aerospace applications such as potential size and weight savings. Although the matrix converter has a higher number of semiconductor switches, they are subjected to a lower voltage stress, which decreases their failure rate. This results in the reliability indicators of the different converter topologies being very similar.