Programmable battery simulator BSS

charge/discharge testfor cell simulation

Product Details
Product: Battery String Simulator (BSS)
Description: Battery simulation system for spacecraft battery charge and discharge emulation

Overview
The Elgar Battery String Simulators (BSS) provide controllable battery power emulation for spacecraft testing. The BSS supports simulation of multi-terminal battery topologies and is designed for integrated system-level verification rather than simple battery elimination. Simulator behavior is driven by spreadsheet-format charge tables tailored to a specific battery topology and condition. Multiple charge tables can be stored and retrieved from the host computer.

Operation Modes
The BSS operates in two modes: static and dynamic. In static mode a specified state-of-charge produces the corresponding terminal voltage instantly, eliminating lengthy discharge cycles. In dynamic mode the BSS monitors applied charge/discharge energy from a set start point and adjusts terminal voltage in real time to emulate battery behavior.

Configurations and Sensor Simulation
Single- and dual-battery pack simulator versions are available. Discharge currents up to 150 A and charge currents up to 50 A per battery are supported. Optional sensor simulators (thermistor, pressure transducer, heater load outputs, strain gauges, cell bypass/short) enable closed-loop interaction with spacecraft power regulators for realistic emulation.

Control and Integration
Each BSS is a fully integrated, turn-key system with a Windows graphical user interface and hardware control software. Control is provided via standard Ethernet or optional GPIB using SCPI-format commands. File management allows multiple battery databases to be loaded and executed transparently.

Features And Benefits

• Available in single and dual pack versions for flexible test configurations
• Sensor simulation options for thermistors, strain gauges, heater loads and cell bypass/short
• Battery behavior modified via spreadsheet download to simulate chemistries such as NiMH, Li‑ion and NiCd

Flexible Database Operation
A dedicated database engine calculates terminal voltage from state-of-charge and instantaneous current and can control simulated pressure transducers to allow closed-loop charging tests. The engine can emulate battery faults such as shorted cells, degraded charge transfer and aging.

Integrated Battery Sensor Simulator Packages
Integrated thermistor and pressure transducer simulators permit closed-loop testing of battery conditioning systems, improving debug speed and test flexibility.

Fully Programmable
All simulation parameters are programmable. Simulations can be suspended and resumed; setpoints and operational data are available locally or remotely.

Attention To Spacecraft Safety
Multiple safety mechanisms are provided, including user-settable overcurrent trip/foldback points and programmable overvoltage protection.

Wide Range Of Power
Charge/discharge power levels are available from under 1 kW to several kilowatts to meet different test requirements.

Power Rack Integration Service
Custom turnkey power subsystem rack solutions can be supplied, assembled with suitable programmable power sources and configured to customer specifications.

Test System Safety
Using the BSS in place of flight batteries reduces the need to repeatedly charge/discharge flight batteries and lowers the risk of battery shorting during test campaigns.

Test Process Speed
The BSS enables rapid and repeatable state-of-charge changes compared with using flight batteries, accelerating verification cycles.

Technical specifications

• Product family/name: Elgar Battery String Simulator (BSS)
• Operating modes: Static and Dynamic
• Control/interface: Windows GUI; standard Ethernet; optional GPIB; SCPI command support
• Charge table format: Spreadsheet-based database; multiple tables storable on host
• Available configurations: Single-pack and dual-pack simulator versions
• Discharge current: Up to 150 A (per system)
• Charge current: Up to 50 A per battery
• Sensor simulation: Thermistor, pressure transducer, heater loads, strain gauges, cell bypass/short
• Safety features: User-settable overcurrent trip/foldback; programmable overvoltage protection
• Power range: From < 1 kW up to several kW
• Capabilities: Simulate multiple chemistries including NiMH, Li‑ion, NiCd; simulate battery ailments (shorted cells, degraded charge transfer, aging)