Software-Defined Power Controller: Enabling Adjustability of Spacecraft Power Systems during AIT and On-Orbit Operations

AmplifiedSpace hypothesizes that the development of a new Software-Defined Power Controller (SDPC) using digital control techniques, commercially available wide-bandgap GaN transistors, and power converter topologies that enable both stepping-up and stepping-down of input voltages, will result in the most efficient, modular, and adjustable power system ever designed for aerospace.nbsp; During assembly, integration, and test (AIT) the SDPC can quickly interface an assortment of solar arrays, energy storage devices, and payloads into a complete EPS system within minutes, reducing NRE by a factor of 10 or more.nbsp;nbsp;Digital control of the load supplies will also provide the ability to change the output voltage, allowing for the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) teams to have the ability to actively interleave power requirements for different loads while in flight ndash; a task that is believed to have never been performed in space.