Robust Integrated Control for Dual Active Bridge Converters in Aircraft Power System

Abstract

This paper presents the design and implementation of a robust adaptive control strategy for a Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter used in More Electric Aircraft (MEA) applications. In MEA electrical architectures, a 270 V DC main bus must reliably supply regulated 28 V DC power for onboard systems such as avionics and battery subsystems. In response to this demand, a new controller based on a Fractional-Order Adaptive Super-Twisting Algorithm (FO-ASTA) integrated with a Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) framework is proposed. The controller enhanced the robustness and chattering-free properties of super-twisting sliding mode control, the dynamic memory effects of fractional-order systems, and the real-time adaptability of MRAC.The proposed FO-ASTA controller integrated with the MRAC scheme is evaluated under steady-state conditions, load variations, reference changes, and parametric uncertainties. Moreover, its performance is compared with the Fractional-Order Sliding Mode Controller (FOSMC) and Fractional-Order Super-Twisting Algorithm (FOSTA) controllers. Simulation results on the circuit level confirm that the proposed controller outperforms the alternatives in terms of tracking accuracy, convergence speed, disturbance rejection, and control smoothness. This makes it a strong candidate for high-performance DC–DC conversion in next-generation MEA power systems.