Date: November 18, 2025

Topic: Power Transfer Protocol for Variable Frequency Aircraft Electrical Power Systems

Speaker: Neno Novakovic Collins Aerospace

Abstract: When an AC-type generator became a primary source of electrical power for all aircraft systems, the demand for electrical power has steadily grown. Following rapid technology and scientific advancement in the aerospace industry, the complexity and criticality of all aircraft systems have increased to the point where multiple independent and isolated electrical power sources are required. In such an environment with two or more variable frequency AC-type generators that can be simultaneously activated to provide electrical power to aircraft power distribution system, a safe power transfer process becomes a major priority. It means that any two independent aircraft AC power sources with different frequencies or phase angles cannot be connected simultaneously to the common power bus. For that purpose, a power transfer protocol has been developed to prevent any aircraft parallel power sourcing and to provide reliable AC generator connection to the single or multiple aircraft power busses.