Real-time expert systems for advanced power control (a statusupdate) [aerospace power system testbed]

The most recent developments in the Boeing Aerospace Autonomous Power System (APS) testbed are presented. The APS testbed is a 28-VDC system with 3-kW capability, assembled for use in developing improved control, techniques for aerospace electrical power systems. The main emphasis is on the development of a sophisticated programming environment to control concurrent execution of multiple autonomous algorithms coupled with a continuous input/output data flow. The integration of high-level control algorithms used for battery charge control into a real-time execution environment is discussed. This includes methods that allow several functions to respond to real-time input, affect/maintain expert system (shared) memory, and control the electrical power system configuration. Sophisticated schemes for scheduling these expert system control functions are required to allow real-time multitasking     

Megahertz power converters for specific power systems

Some of the problems in the development of pulsewidth power converters when the switching frequency is increased from hundreds of kilohertz to tens of megahertz are highlighted. The major goal is the establishment of a ten megahertz power chain designed to operate in a distributed system from a DC power bus of 24 to 48 V. Available components and materials are discussed, and possible topologies-flyback, forward, push-pull forward, and buck converters-are examined. The performance criteria chosen for this analysis are, in the order of preference, output requirements, size and weight, efficiency, and cost     

First Mars outpost power systems

Research into potential power systems for the First Mars Outpost (FMO) was performed. The author examined a representative mission architecture which was developed by NASA to determine power system requirements. Power system options including nuclear, isotope, photovoltaic (PV), chemical heat engine, and regenerative fuel cell (RFC) concepts were identified for potential Mars surface applications. A top-level characterization study was conducted to determine power system mass and area for each application. It is seen that PV systems are generally not suited for Mars surface applications due to the large surface area required and higher mass than a closed Brayton cycle SP100 reactor system. A reactor is currently being considered by NASA Lewis Research Center to provide power for base architectures including an ISRU (in situ resource utilization). An oxygen/methane powered heat engine would provide 40 kWe of emergency power for the habitat. A dynamic isotope power system (DIPS) is the current choice for a long-duration pressurized rover due to the excessive size of a PV/RFC system and higher mass of a heat engine system. DIPS has advantages for other low power systems due to its neatly immediate availability and flexibility (night or day power; no recharging required)     

Simulation of DC spacecraft power systems

A modular state-variable approach is presented for DC spacecraft power system modeling and simulation. Each modular component is treated as a multiport network, and a state model is written with the port voltages as the inputs. The state model of a component is solved independently of the other components, using its state transition matrix. The state variables of each component are updated, assuming that the inputs are constant. Network analysis principles are then utilized to calculate the component inputs     

New architectures for space power systems

Electric power generation and conditioning have experienced revolutionary development over the past two decades. Furthermore, new materials such as high energy magnets and high temperature superconductors are either available or on the horizon. Our work is based on the premise that new technologies are an important driver of new power system concepts and architectures. This observation is borne out by the historical evolution of power systems both in terrestrial and aerospace applications. This paper introduces new approaches to designing space power systems by using several new technologies. Two new architectures are introduced: the current source current intensive system and the articulate system. Basic characteristics of these systems have been investigated. Some aspects of the articulate system architecture, as discussed in this paper can be implemented in the short term. Flexible AC transmission systems which are now undergoing rapid development and implementation, can be regarded as a subset of the family of control methodologies which constitute the realm of articulate systems     

Issues in microwave power systems engineering

The key issues in microwave power system engineering are beam safety, frequency allocation, and affordability. These major issues are presented, discussed, and suggestions for resolving them are offered. The issue of beam safety can be captured in the phrase “Fear of Frying.” Can a properly engineered beamed power safety system allay the public perception of microwave radiation dangers? Openness, visibility, and education may be keys to resolving this issue satisfactorily. “Not in my Spectrum” is a phrase that is frequently encountered in connection with the issue of where can the microwave power beam frequency be located. International cooperation may provide a part of the solution to this issue. “Wow, that much!” is a phrase encountered when dealing with the issue of economic affordability of large beamed power systems. A phased engineering approach for multiple uses even during construction is presented to aid in garnering revenue during the system build phase. Also, dual mode DC-RF converters are encouraged for bi-directional power flow utility and economies of scale in production     

Modeling and simulation of spacecraft power systems

Modeling of a complete spacecraft power processing system is presented, using the Boeing EASYS software. Component models are developed, and several system models including a solar array switching system, a partially shunted solar system, and cosmic background explorer (COBE) system are simulated. The modes of operation of the power system, such as shunt mode, battery-charge mode, and battery-discharge mode, are simulated for a complete orbit cycle     

Model of influence of power line elements on power efficiency of mechatronic modules for advanced mobile objects

The paper describes the influence of power line elements on the power supply output for mechatronic modules. The weight-size parameters for advanced actuators of control systems of aircraft mechatronic modules can be determined by the amount of power consumed by each element of the actuator.     

Assessment of safety in space power wiring systems

Wiring system failures have resulted from arc propagation in the wiring harnesses of many aircraft and space vehicles. These failures occur when the insulation becomes conductive upon the initiation of an arc. In some cases, the conductive path of the carbon arc track displays a high enough resistance such that the current is limited, and therefore may be difficult to detect using conventional circuit protection. Often, such wiring failures are not simply the result of insulation failure but are due to a combination of wiring system factors. Inadequate circuit protection, unreliable system designs, and careless maintenance procedures can contribute to a wiring system failure. This paper approaches the problem with respect to the overall wiring system, in order to determine what steps can be taken to improve the reliability, maintainability, and safety of space power systems. Power system technologies, system designs, and maintenance procedures which have contributed to past wiring system failures are discussed. New technologies, design processes, and management techniques which may lead to improved wiring system safety are introduced     

Design and testing of spacecraft power systems using VTB

A study is presented on the design and testing of spacecraft power systems using the virtual test bed (VTB). The interdisciplinary components such as solar array and battery systems were first modeled in native VTB format and validated by experiment data. The shunt regulator and battery charge controller were designed in Simulink according to the system requirements and imported to VTB. Two spacecraft power systems were then designed and tested together with the control systems.     

PSK communications systems using fully saturated power amplifiers

Quasiconstant envelope phase-shift keying (PSK) is analyzed to assess its ability to overcome nonlinearities caused by fully saturated RF power amplifiers in communications systems. These modulations can achieve bit error rate (BER) performance comparable to linear BPSK in additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. Quasiconstant envelope offset quadrature PSK (OQPSK) is presented as a design example. At a BER = 10/sup -5/, the SNR degradation caused by fully saturated power amplifiers is 0.1 dB. The simulated BER matches analytically derived results. For a communications system employing the quasiconstant envelope OQPSK and a rate 1/2 convolutional code with K = 7, the demodulation performance is degraded by 0.25 dB at a BER = 10/sup -5/ when a fully saturated power amplifier is employed.     

Impacts of solar and auroral storms on power line systems

A sensitive search for pulsars inside a sample of gamma-ray source error boxes has been carried out using the Arecibo and Parkes radiotelescopes. The paper describes the motivation of this search and the characteristics of the experiments used. As a preliminary result, new pulsars have been discovered and some of them are possibly candidates to be the counterparts of the gamma-ray sources.     

Large area solar cells for future space power systems

Space silicon solar cell technology has matured to the extent that large-area planar silicon cells can be fabricated in sizes up to 8 cm×8 cm with efficiencies up to approximately 15%. In order to achieve substantially higher efficiencies, cells based on GaAs are required. It is shown that, subject to certain boundary conditions, the efficiency of GaAs/Ge cells can reach 24% when used in the dual-junction configuration or approximately 19.5% if the Ge substrate is passive. The electrooptical properties of these cells are reviewed, and prospects for achieving these efficiency goals are presented. Experimental performance data are given     

Hybrid high frequency AC power distribution architecture fortelecommunication systems

A novel high frequency hybrid power distribution system for telecommunication applications is presented. The proposed hybrid system combines the advantages of both the sinusoidal voltage and current types of high frequency distribution systems and it has advantages such as connectorless power transfer, fuseless protection, sinusoidal voltage and current distribution and, high overall system efficiency. The different operating modes of the proposed power distribution system are described in detail and performance characteristics are presented. Finally experimental results are given to validate the concepts developed and to demonstrate the system performance     

Feedforward maximum power point tracking of PV systems using fuzzy controller

A feedforward maximum power (MP) point tracking scheme is developed for the interleaved dual boost (IDB) converter fed photovoltaic (PV) system using fuzzy controller. The tracking algorithm changes the duty ratio of the converter such that the solar cell array (SCA) voltage equals the voltage corresponding to the MP point at that solar insolation. This is done by the feedforward loop, which generates an error signal by comparing the instantaneous array voltage and reference voltage. The reference voltage for the feedforward loop, corresponding to the MP point, is obtained by an off-line trained neural network. Experimental data is used for off-line training of the neural network, which employs back-propagation algorithm. The proposed fuzzy feedforward peak power tracking effectiveness is demonstrated through the simulation and experimental results, and compared with the conventional proportional plus integral (PI) controller based system. Finally, a comparative study of interleaved boost and conventional boost converter for the PV applications is given and their suitability is discussed.     

1553B总线在现代飞机自动配电系统中的应用

对1553B总线通讯技术进行了系统的研究。设计了采用80C196KB作为主处理机的1553B通讯接口板，设计并调试成功了1553B的通讯软件，并在双发电通道飞机自动配电系统地面模拟系统中进行了实验。系统模拟实验表明，与通用串行总线(如RS-485总线)相比，军用数据总线1553B有高传输率、高可靠性等特点，为飞机自动配电系统的应用奠定了坚实的基础。     

High efficiency dynamic radioisotope power systems for spaceexploration-a status report

Background on the space exploration program is discussed, and the currently identified NASA exploration missions are contrasted with the missions that were being planned a year ago. Developments in high-efficiency dynamic radioisotope power systems are discussed: and Brayton and Stirling power conversion cycles are compared for the missions planned for the next decade. Issues related to the use of high-efficiency radioisotope (HER) power systems are identified. It is noted that HER power systems are approximately three times as efficient as current radioisotope thermoelectric generators(RTGs) and are therefore significantly cheaper. Additionally, the world's supply of ²³⁸Pu is extremely limited. Currently discussed missions would cut deeply into this supply if powered by RTGs