Enhanced Satellite Power Distribution Reliability with Contingency Plan and Nonexclusive Redundancy

Power distribution module (PDM) reliability is essential for successful satellite missions. However, due to extreme conditions in space, PDM function failures are unpredictable. To increase reliability, PDM is equipped with redundancy. In the traditional redundancy method, should both the primary and backup regulators at a specific voltage level become damaged, system failure will occur, despite the backup regulator's continued operation at the other voltage level. By implementing non-exclusive redundancy schemes and contingency plans in the PDM, the reliability of the satellite system can be improved. With this scheme, when damage occurs to a converter, the power flow can be diverted to another converter that is still functioning. Analysis using Monte Carlo simulation and reliability block diagrams shows that nonexclusive redundancy with contingency plans increases the duration of satellite operations, slows down the decline in reliability, and reduces the difference in converter capacity at the end of the mission. Nonexclusive redundancy and contingency plans can also prevent junction temperatures from being too high when converter availability is less than required.