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Design and control of high voltage gain DC–DC converter for CubeSat propulsion

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Abstract

This paper introduces a high voltage gain DC–DC converter feeding Electrospray thrusters for CubeSats with variable output voltage according to the size of maneuvers to be performed. The proposed converter presents improvements compared to previous publications, related to voltage gain, reliability, size and simplicity of configuration. This topology consists of two stages: classical Boost in cascade with high-frequency transformer and two voltage multipliers (positive and negative). The operating principle and the design of this topology are described in detail. In order to produce two regulated voltages ranging from −3500 to − 1500 V and from 1500 to 3500 V, the PI controller is suggested as a solution for control loop based on a constructed model of the proposed converter using the averaged space state. For validation, the simulations of the proposed DC–DC converter by Simulink MATLAB and the breadboard tests are performed.

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Abbreviations

\(\bar{I}_j\) :

Average current crossing the component j

\(\bar{I}_{in}\) :

Average input current

\(\bar{I}_{out}\) :

Average output current

\(\bar{V}_j\) :

Average voltage across the component j

\(\bar{V}_{in}\) :

Average input voltage

\(\bar{V}_{out}\) :

Average output voltage

\(\bar{P}\) and \(\widetilde{p}\) :

Average value and alternative value of the parameter p with p can be: x, y, d, \(v_{in}\)

\(\mathscr {T}_{max}\) :

Maximum thrust

\(c_i\) :

Capacitor for i = 1 to 18

d  and \(\bar{D}\) :

Duty cycle and average duty cycle

\(D_i\) :

Diode for i = 1 to 19

\(E_{ci}\) and \(E_{out}\) :

Stored energy in capacitor i and output energy

EMC:

Electromagnetic compatibility

F :

Frequency

\(G_{CCM}\) :

Gain in continuous conduction mode

\(I^{\textit{peak}}_{j}\) :

Peak current crossing the component j

\(i_{j}\) :

Instantaneous current crossing the component j

\(I_{sp}\) :

Specific impulse

\(L_1\) :

Input inductor

\(L_m\) and \(L_{k1}\) :

Magnetizing inductance and primary leakage inductance

N :

Transformer turn ratio =\(\frac{N_2}{N_1}\)=\(\frac{N_3}{N_1}\)

n :

Number of VM stages

PCB:

Printed circuit board

PI:

Proportional-integral controller

R :

Load of thruster

\(R_d\) :

Diode resistance

\(r_v\) and \(r_c\) :

Percentage of ripple for input or output voltage and for current

\(R_{DS-on}\) :

Switch resistance

S :

Switch

\(T_i\) :

Thruster for i = 1 to 2

\(V^{\textit{peak}}_{j}\) :

Peak voltage across the component j

\(v_{j}\) :

Instantaneous voltage across the component j

VM:

Voltage multiplier

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Acknowledgements

This work has been performed within the framework of the “University Nanosatellites” project between Mohammed V University (UM5R) and the Royal Center for Space Studies and Research (CRERS), Morocco. The authors would like to thank Mr. Guelzim and Mr. Khalil for their support, and to acknowledge the contribution of Mr. Balouiz for his assistance in realization of the experimental prototype board.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecole Mohammadia d’Ingénieurs EMI, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

    Abdelaali Ouhammam & Hassane Mahmoudi

  2. Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers ENSAM-Rabat, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

    Hamid Ouadi

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  1. Abdelaali Ouhammam
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  2. Hassane Mahmoudi
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Correspondence to Abdelaali Ouhammam.

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Ouhammam, A., Mahmoudi, H. & Ouadi, H. Design and control of high voltage gain DC–DC converter for CubeSat propulsion. CEAS Space J 16, 97–115 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-023-00493-0

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