15 Feb 2012

Microsemi Participates in European Next Generation Aircraft Programme

Semiconductor solutions provider, Microsemi is participating in a European funded programme to standardise electro-mechanical actuators for aerospace applications. The team uses a multi-disciplinary consortium and it is funded by the European Union as part of the Seventh Framework Programme, FP7.

The work will help to eliminate hydraulic circuits, pumps and reservoirs. This improves the overall actuator lifecycle cost including higher reliability, lower cost and reduced aircraft weight. The integrated project spans three years and comprises more than 50 partners representing the European stakeholders of the actuation and airframe industry from 12 countries

The project is referred to as “Actuation 2015” and it aims to develop and validate a common set of standardised, modular and scalable resources for actuators including flight control, high lift, main landing gear, door and thrust reverser. It will also be applicable across all types of aircraft from business to regional and commercial fixed wing and helicopters.

Microsemi will participate in the development of a specification and subsequent design, manufacture and test of a standardised power module which comprehends important trade-offs associated with the choice of semiconductors, materials, component configurations, circuit topologies and mass production manufacturing technologies.

The all-electric aircraft (AEA) is a major target for next-generation aircraft to reduce consumption of non-propulsive power and thus fuel burn. EMAs are mandatory, but technical improvements are necessary to meet the requirements established by ACARE (Advisory Council of Aeronautics Research in Europe) and airframers.

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