Read about E²AGLE Test Bench

According to the German Federal Environment Agency, air traffic is responsible for around 2.5 to 3.1 percent of global CO₂ emissions. The Clean Air Task Force organization assumes that this amount will triple by 2050 if no effective countermeasures are taken. One possible solution is the electrification of commercial aviation, but this comes with numerous challenges. These challenges include the need for extensive testing and development of electric drives and on-board systems. 

Leibniz University Hannover and TU Braunschweig trust in EA Elektro-Automatik

The federal and state governments and the German Research Foundation (DFG) have set a clear goal by funding the SE²A Cluster of Excellence since 2019: a transformative air transport system that meets future requirements for climate neutrality. Within this framework, the Institute for Drive Systems and Power Electronics (IAL) of the Leibniz University Hannover and the Institute for Electrical Machines, Drives and Trains (IMAB) of the TU Braunschweig are cooperating with various research institutions. The aim is to work together in developing the theoretical basis for appropriate sustainable drive concepts. The problem: to test the function of the innovative electric drive trains in practice, a completely new test bench had to be developed. 

#1 Initial operation of the rack

DC sources from the Tektronix portfolio supply the E²AGLE test bench 

Construction of the E²AGLE test bench began in 2023. E²AGLE is funded in the “Major Research Instrumentation” by the DFG and stands for Electric Aircraft Ground Lab Environment and will be able to test innovative engine concepts and electrical system architectures for all-electric aircrafts. The test bench at the IMAB focuses on a centralized on-board power supply approach. In contrast, the IAL is pursuing a decentralized on-board power supply approach, in which, among other topologies, multi-level converter topologies are being tested. For the DC supply of the multilevel modules, solutions from Tektronix and EA Elektro-Automatik were chosen. More specifically, the bidirectional power supplies EA-PSB 10920-125. 

 #2 Bidirectional Power Supplies EA-PSB 10920-125.

Expert consultation and support drive innovation 

These modern and flexible DC sources were chosen to support the E²AGLE test bench with good reason. Because the bench consists of large number of complex components, some of which are prototypes, the DC sources need to be able to handle the fast voltage transients of several kV/µs from the multilevel modules when in operation. Working together with the IAL, Tektronix and  EA Elektro-Automatik were able to provide solutions to their unique testing needs and look forward to continued support of the project in the future. 

 #3 Business Development Manager Eugen Kitke supports the project

First interim report is extremely positive 

Although the test bench projects are still ongoing, the project managers at the Leibniz University Hannover and TU Braunschweig are very satisfied with the results so far. The smooth implementation of the first components already shows that the twelve EA-PSB 10920-125 units are ideally suited to this complex task. Completion of the E²AGLE test bench is planned for 2026. 

#4 12x EA-PSB 10920-125 units are doing their job