Small Satellite Technology

Satellite Subsystem – Power

Prof. Dr. Najam Abbas Naqvi

Ms. Samra Kiran

Small Satellite Technology

 Content
• Electric Power Subsystem
• Electric Power Generation in CubeSat
• Power Storage
• Power Conditioning and Distribution

Electric Power Subsystem

Electric Power Subsystem(EPS)
• The EPS is responsible for
generating, storing, regulating,
and distributing electrical power
• Ensure continuous operation of
• the satellite bus and
• payload throughout the mission
• Solar power is the most widely
used energy source in CubeSats
(≈85% use solar cells).

Electric Power Subsystem

Electric Power
Generation in CubeSat
E n e r g y S o u r c e - T h e P h o t o v o l t a i c E ff e c t - S o l a r C e l l s -
P o w e r G e n e r a ti o n
 Energy Source for CubeSat
• Chemical Energy: Batteries (limited lifespan, mainly used
for storage).
• Nuclear Energy: Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators
(RTGs, rarely used in CubeSats due to safety and regulatory
concerns).
• Solar Energy: Most commonly used, converts sunlight into
electricity via the photovoltaic effect.

Electric Power Subsystem

 The Photovoltaic Effect
• Discovered by Alexandre-
Edmond Becquerel (1839)

• Converts light into electricity

using semiconductor
materials

• Works by exciting electrons

when photons strike a
semiconductor, creating an
electric current.

• Used in solar cells to

generate power for CubeSats
photovoltaic effect in solar cells
Electric Power Subsystem
 Types of Solar Cells Used in
CubeSat

Polycrystalline Cells: Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Monocrystalline Cells:

Lower efficiency, lower cost. Cells: Higher efficiency, more High efficiency, widely used.
expensive.

Silicon (Si) Cells:

Amorphous Thin-
Medium efficiency,
Film Cells: Flexible,
lower cost.
but least efficient.
Electric Power Subsystem
 Key Solar Cell Parameters
Gallium Amorphous
Silicon (Si) Monocrystall Polycrystalli
Parameter Arsenide Thin-Film
Cells ine Cells ne Cells
(GaAs) Cells Cells

Medium (15- Lower (13-

Efficiency High (25-30%) High (20-25%) Low (8-12%)
20%) 18%)
Cost Lower Expensive High Lower Lowest
Multiple
Manufacturi Semiconducto Semiconducto Single Crystal Thin-Film
Crystal
ng Type r-Based r-Based Structure Deposition
Structure
Flexibility Rigid Rigid Rigid Rigid Flexible
Durability High Very High High Moderate Low
Very
Weight Moderate Lightweight Moderate Moderate
Lightweight
General High- Space
Wearable and
Common CubeSats, Performance Missions, Consumer
Flexible Solar
Applications Small Space Consumer Solar Panels
Tech
Satellites Missions Solar Panels
Electric Power Subsystem
 Solar Arrays and
• Series Connection: Increases
Configurations
voltage
• Parallel Connection: Increases
current
• Bypass Diodes: Prevents power
loss due to shading or damage
• Deployable vs. Body-Mounted
Panels: Deployable panels
generate more power but require a
deployment mechanism

Electric Power Subsystem

 Power Generation and Incidence
Angle
•Maximum power is generated when sunlight hits the solar panel at 0°
incidence.
•Power decreases as the angle increases

Pin = Solar input

power density
(~1358 W/m²).
η = Solar cell
efficiency.
Aeff = Effective solar
array area.
θ = Incidence angle.

Electric Power Subsystem

 Factors Affecting Solar Cell
Performance
•Temperature Effects: Efficiency decreases 0.025-0.075% per °C
above 28°C.
•Radiation Degradation: Reduces efficiency by ~3% per year.

•Eclipses: No power generation during shadowed periods.

•Dust and Contamination: Can reduce surface efficiency.

•Some CubeSats use Sun-tracking solar arrays for optimal power

generation
•Attitude control (ADCS) aligns panels for maximum sunlight exposure.

Electric Power Subsystem

 Summary –Electric Power
Generation
•Solar power is the dominant energy source for CubeSats.
•Monocrystalline GaAs cells offer the best efficiency (~30%).
•Power generation depends on sun incidence angle, temperature,
and radiation effects.
•Deployable solar arrays and sun-tracking systems improve power
yield but add complexity.
•Energy storage (batteries) is critical for eclipse phases.

Electric Power Subsystem

Power Storage
P o w e r G a p s - B a tt e r y t y p e s - B a tt e r y D e s i g n - D O D & C y c l e
Life- Power Supply Control- Power Control Strategies
 Power Gaps in Orbit
The Role of Eclipses
•CubeSats in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
experience ~15 eclipses per day.
•During eclipses, solar panels cannot generate
power.
•Stored power is needed to continue operating
onboard systems.

Solution:
• Use rechargeable batteries that store solar BUTCube flight mission proposal for
solar corona observation from LEO
energy during sunlight and provide power during artificial eclipse utilizing Moon
during eclipses.

Electric Power Subsystem

 Battery Types for CubeSats
Types of batteries: Selection based on:
• Primary: Non-rechargeable – Not suitable for long Feature Li-ion LiPo

missions. Energy Generally Can be

Capacity higher, high,
• Secondary: Rechargeable – Required for long-term (Wh) depending especially
on the in compact
missions (2+ years).
chemistry form
CubeSat missions can experience >1000 eclipses, so and factors
application
rechargeable batteries are essential.

Common Types of Secondary Batteries: Specific Typically Generally

Energy 150-250 100-200
• Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) – Higher cycle life, better energy (Wh/kg) Wh/kg Wh/kg
density.
Voltage Nominal Nominal
• Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) – Lightweight, flexible, lower (V) voltage per voltage per
cell: 3.6- cell: 3.7V
cycle life. 3.7V
Electric Power Subsystem
 Temperature and Battery Design
Considerations
Parameter Units Importance
Nominal Capacity mAh Total energy storage
Nominal Voltage V Operating voltage
Limits on how fast • In extreme cold or
Max. Discharge heat, charging
A power can be
Current becomes
delivered
0–45°C (Li-ion), inefficient or
Charge Operating dangerous.
°C range charging beyond this
Temperature Thermal control is
is risky
required:
Discharge • Electric heaters
Operating °C range 20–60°C for Li-ion
near batteries.
Temperature
• Heat dissipaters
Number of to avoid
Cycle Life @ DOD % Cycles charge/discharge overheating.
cycles
Gravimetric Energy Energy per mass –
Wh/kg
Density Electric Power
critical for CubeSats
Subsystem
 DOD & Cycle Life
Ensuring Battery Longevity
•Depth of Discharge (DOD) = % of battery
capacity used per cycle.
•Higher DOD → Fewer cycles. Lower DOD → More
cycles.
Cycle Life vs. DOD:
• 100% DOD → ~500 cycles
• 30% DOD → ~2050 cycles
• 5% DOD → ~15,000 cycles
Design Implication:
Regression curve of Li-ion battery
• CubeSat missions are designed with DOD < cyclelife vs DOD.
30% to extend battery life.
Zia, Muhammad Fahad & Elbouchikhi, Elhoussin & Benbouzid, Mohamed. (2019). Optimal Operational Planning of Scalable DC Microgrid with Demand Response, Islanding, and Battery Degradation Cost Considerations.
Electric Power Subsystem
 Power Supply Control
•Solar cells generate power with a specific current-voltage (I/V) curve.
•There's a Maximum Power Point (MPP) where power output is highest.

Electric Power Subsystem

 Power Control Strategies
Descripti Pros/
Method
on Cons
Simple,
sends
DET
fixed Easy, but
(Direct
voltage may waste
Energy EPS Architectures with DET and unregulated dc-bus
from solar energy
Transfer)
panel to
battery
Maximizes
Actively
PPT (Peak power,
adjusts to
Power better for
stay at
Tracker) variable
MPP
loads EPS Architectures with PPT and unregulated dc-bus
Electric Power Subsystem
 Summary- Power Storage
•CubeSats must use rechargeable batteries due to frequent
eclipses.
•Li-ion is preferred for longer missions; LiPo for lighter
applications.
•Maintain battery temperature with heaters and heat sinks.
•Design with <30% DOD to ensure battery survives the full
mission.
•Use PPT for missions needing efficient power tracking; DET
for simpler setups.

Electric Power Subsystem

Power Conditioning &
Distribution
E P S A r c h i t e c t u r e - V o l t a g e R e g u l a ti o n - S w i t c h i n g
V o l t a g e R e g u l a t o r C o n fi g u r a ti o n
 Introduction
•Final stage of EPS manages voltage
regulation and protection.
•CubeSat subsystems require different
voltage levels.
•To prevent short circuits or overloads,
protection circuits are necessary.
•Output of storage stage (battery) goes to
a power bus with a defined voltage and
current capability.

Electric Power Subsystem

 EPS Architectures:
Centralized EPS: Decentralized EPS:
•Conditioning is done in a central unit. •Each subsystem has its own local power
•Preferred when integrating subsystems from multiple conditioning.
vendors.

Electric Power Subsystem

 Voltage Regulation

Maintains a stable output voltage, regardless of input or load variations.

Type Advantages Disadvantages Use in CubeSats

Ideal for low-noise
Linear Voltage Simple, compact, Low efficiency, applications, used
Regulator (LVR) low noise cannot boost voltage as voltage
references.
Best for high-
High efficiency, can
Switching Voltage Noisy, complex, efficiency needs,
step up/down/invert
Regulator (SVR) ripple voltage ideal for power-
voltage
hungry subsystems.

Electric Power Subsystem

 Why SVRs Are Used?

• Versatile: Provide any desired output.

• Efficient: Use pulse switching for minimal power loss.
• Suitable for compact space platforms with limited
energy budget.

Electric Power Subsystem

 Switching Voltage Regulator
Configurations
Configurati
Name Function
on
Raises input
Step-up Boost
voltage
Lowers input
Step-down Buck
voltage
Raises or
lowers
Step-up/
Buck-Boost voltage
down
(even
inverts)
DC-DC
converter for
Inductor-less Charge Pump
low-power
use
Electric Power Subsystem
Summary – Power Conditioning
in CubeSats
•Power conditioning ensures CubeSat subsystems receive
safe, correct voltage levels.
•Voltage regulators (LVRs and SVRs) are essential for stable
operation.
•Centralized EPS is preferred for most CubeSats.
•Protection circuits prevent EPS failure due to short circuits or
overloads.
•Switching regulators offer flexible, efficient power delivery

Electric Power Subsystem

Thank You!

Electric Power Subsystem