Analysis of Electrical Power System(EPS) DC-DC converter Topologies for Efficient CubeSat Load Management

A CubeSat is a class of miniaturized and standardized satellites used primarily for scientific research, technology demonstration, and commercial applications. This research explores ways in which the efficiency of Electric Power System(EPS) of 3U CubeSats can be improved through the optimization of the operations of power converters, focus placed on boost and buck-boost converters. The EPS manages energy coming from the solar arrays, stored in batteries and delivered to loads. The research has realized the parameters defining power converter efficiency. These input and output voltages defined by arrangement of battery and solar cells as well as the switching frequencies. These improvements help maximize energy utilization by using maximum energy content in the solar panel to supply loads and batteries. To consider the effect of solar irradiance and temperature on the performance of solar arrays and batteries. A boost converter raises the voltage from the solar array for load and battery applications, while a buck-boost converter regulates the voltage for stability under variable input conditions. To use simulation and experiments to study the converter conditions impact system performance, dynamically managing loads to favour the distribution of energy for the most critical missions for CubeSats and promotes future improvements in small satellite power management capability toward long missions in earth observation and deep-space explorations.