High Power Density Sequential Switching Shunt Regulator Module

Primary power source of most of the satellites is solar power whether the main power bus is regulated or unregulated. Solar power is converted into regulated and controlled power by solar array regulators. The most widely used solar array regulator topology in high power conditioning unit with a fully regulated power bus is Sequential Switching Shunt Regulator (S3R) considering simplicity, high reliability, low cost and software free design. This paper provides a detailed description of the design and test results of the Solar Array Regulator based on S3R topology which is designed for the high-power Communication Satellite that will operate in Geostationary Orbit. A 4 kW High Power S3R module is presented which is designed considering thermal constraints, mechanical perspective and main bus regulation performance for 100V regulated bus while maintaining high power density, simplicity and reliability.