Innovative design of a compact nanosecond-pulse power supply using SiC-MOSFETs for enhanced dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators

In this study, we present the development of a compact and lightweight nanosecond pulsed power supply designed to improve the performance of plasma actuators for flow control on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). While traditional AC power supplies are commonly used in plasma actuators, the nanosecond pulsed power supplies offer the advantage of operating over a wider range of Reynolds numbers, making them highly desirable. However, miniaturization and weight reduction of pulsed power supplies pose significant challenges. To address these issues, we present a novel approach using a high-voltage silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET to create an inductive energy storage (IEC) power supply, eliminating the need for a bulky transformer core. This innovation results in a more compact and lightweight pulsed power supply, potentially improving aerodynamic control in UAV applications. The size and weight of the power supply developed is comparable to the smallest AC power supplies developed to date. In addition to basic current–voltage measurements, the performance of the power supply for airflow control is evaluated through wind tunnel experiments. As a result, the plasma actuator powered by the developed nanosecond pulsed power supply shows superior performance compared to previous studies, despite its small size and light weight.