Efficiency-Optimized Design of PCB-Integrated Magnetorquers for CubeSats

Abstract

CubeSats are miniature satellites used to carry experimental payloads into orbit, where it is often critical to precisely control their attitude. One way to do this is through the use of magnetorquers, which can be integrated into PCBs. This technique saves considerable space and capital when compared with more common torque-rod magnetorquer systems. Here we derive a method of analyzing different PCB-integrated magnetorquer geometries, parametrizing them such that the magnetic moment and efficiency are optimized. Furthermore, by modulating the trace width, the trace number, and other electrical characteristics of the magnetorquer coil, this paper optimizes the generated magnetic moment. Both constant voltage and constant current sources are analyzed as inputs. These optimizations are then simulated in COMSOL for multiple geometries, and it is found that there exists an optimal geometry, given a specified power dissipation. Simulations verify the general trend and maxima of these derivations, barring small, consistent re-scaling in the magnitude of the coil resistance. It is also found that these PCB-integrated magnetorquers provide a sufficient alternative to commercial coil magnetorquers - particularly in volume-restricted configurations. This study extends such analysis to larger CubeSat configurations, and finds that these larger implementations increase magnetorquer efficiency. Optimizations for common PCB-implementable geometries on small satellites are tabulated in the Appendix.