Optimal design of a power distribution subsystem

Mathematical optimization techniques are used to design several components of a power distribution system for next generation aircraft. A simple interconnected system consisting of an input filter and a DC-DC buck converter is used as the prototype for the optimization demonstration. The components are designed for minimum weight subject to performance, stability, and peak voltage constraints. Optimized designs for each of the individual subsystems and for the integrated system are presented. It is shown that there is interaction between the filter design problem and the converter design problem and that weight improvements can be obtained by taking these interactions into account. The automated design scheme described is a potentially valuable tool that enables designers to obtain optimized subsystem designs in a time efIicient manner.