Abstract
This paper presents the studies made on the definition and design of a decentralized and modular electrical architecture of Power Conditioning Unit (PCU).The modular PCU is able to cover a large range of mission demands by adapting the number of power modules (PM) while the electrical interfaces remain the same.A decentralized architecture is proposed where each module is able to control the solar arrays and to manage the batteries. It appears that this kind of architecture becomes feasible thanks to digital circuits and using a communication bus [1].Breadboards are being tested in order to validate the concept.Reliability and robustness aspects are studied and a redundant architecture is tested.
Highlights
Studies made by CNES and TAS from 2008 to 2014, focused on a modular Power Conditioning Unit (PCU) based on BUCK solar array regulator with MPPT control [2]
CNES decided to go on a second way by considering DET (Direct Energy Transfer) topologies for solar array regulator, unregulated bus and the possibility to implement remote power modules
The architecture is based on remote power modules connected on the same primary Unregulated Power Bus (UPB)
Summary
Studies made by CNES and TAS from 2008 to 2014, focused on a modular PCU based on BUCK solar array regulator with MPPT control [2] This architecture is composed by N+1 power modules which control the solar array, manage the battery and use a reliable digital bus for communication. CNES decided to go on a second way by considering DET (Direct Energy Transfer) topologies for solar array regulator, unregulated bus and the possibility to implement remote power modules. For these reasons, this architecture is called Ultra Modular PCU. The trade-offs made for the architecture and the electronic design are more adapted for low cost applications or micro-satellites
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