High efficiency, scalable peak power tracker architecture

The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) Peak Power Tracker (PPT) solution is the enabling technology for power constrained Small Satellite missions. The SwRI PPT solution combines 35 years of experience developing electronics for space flight on NASA Discovery, MIDEX, and SMEX missions with internal research and development. SwRI has delivered 8 flight model PPT modules for the NASA CYGNSS mission. Additional PPT modules have been delivered for a DOD mission and SwRI has begun development of a PPT for the NASA CuSP CubeSat mission. SwRI's PPT is ideal for small spacecraft delivering conversion efficiencies of > 94% and supports loads up to 500 Watts. The architecture of the PPT was designed to deliver maximum efficiencies while providing a high reliability, low EMI solution. The PPT architecture is predicated on providing scalable power throughput to fit needs of CubeSats through MicroSats and provides on orbit configurability to adapt to any mission need. The PPT architecture was designed using a power conversion technique requiring a low number of parts thereby improving reliability while maintaining extremely high efficiency and providing excellent load regulation capability. The integrated FPGA allows complex control of the system and allows for a wide range of programmability on orbit.