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Power Electronics for the Next Generation

by Jack Shue, NASA GSFC Code 563 , Organizational website, Jun 22 2010

Focus:
A more complete title for this 24-slide presentation might be â€œPower Electronics for the Next Gen of Space Power Systems.â€ A key theme here is the challenge of satisfying supply voltage requirements for on-board logic in light of battery voltage variations and voltage drops in a distributed power architecture. Related to that, is the impact of FPGAs, which are demanding that switching regulators be applied at the point of load. It begins with a discussion of battery issues, comparing weight, energy density and voltage variation for different chemistries used in space followed by discussion of allowable supply voltage variations for the range of electronics logic used in space; top 5 problems in developing space power systems; and power distribution issues. A power system case study is briefly described including the attempts to power multiple FPGAs using LDOs, homemade linear regulators, and ultimately, standard linear regulators. A problem with MOSFETâ€”induced thermal instability experienced in design of the homemade linear regulator is discussed. Presentation concludes by explaining the need for a switching regulator at the point of load, status of these parts and plans to qualify and test them for space.

What you’ll learn:

How to understand the challenges of developing power electronics and power systems for space applications
How to understand the requirements for distributed power architectures and point-of-load regulators in space
How to understand how power MOSFETs operating with low values of gate voltage are vulnerable to thermal instability

Notes:
Following the publication of this presentation, several commercial, point-of-load switching regulators were introduced for space. To read about them see "Rad-Hard Power Converters Ride Intermediate Bus Into Space" in the August 2011 issue of How2Power Today, http://www.how2power.com/newsletters/1208/products/H2PToday1208_products_SpacePowerReport. pdf.

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