Simulator for laboratory applications PSTE

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Product
Product: Elgar Power Special Test Equipment (PSTE)
Description: Complete spacecraft power special test equipment

Overview
The Elgar Power Special Test Equipment (PSTE) provides programmable DC power and programmable loading to the electrical systems of satellites for system functional testing. The PSTE is a turnkey system operable locally through a GUI interface or remotely via a host computer as a single Ethernet address. The system enables spacecraft engineers to define power bus limits, cabling schemes, mode simultaneity matrices and system behavior based on limit conditions; from these definitions, operating procedures can be generated and protections implemented to perform cable detection, mode verification and automated spacecraft fixture identification and related mode capability.

The PSTE is intended to reduce the need to purchase new power test equipment for each new spacecraft by providing scalable power resources sized for flexibility and cost effectiveness. The system monitors and provides protection for spacecraft electrical power systems against damage from programming errors or system failures.

Resources (illustrated system)
AC Isolation transformers

• 75 KVA power rating
• Transforms 480 VAC 3-phase Delta to 208 VAC 3-phase Wye

Main Power Rack

• Five 10 kW power channels; 150 VDC at 67 A each
• One 5 kW load channel; 3–450 V, 0–150 A constant current
• Eight programmable strip chart recorder outputs

Solar Array Simulator

• 64 channels with 110 V Voc and 450 W each

Electronic Load Rack

• Three 5 kW load channels; 3–450 V, 0–150 A constant current

Remote User Interface

• Ruggedized portable PC with operator interface software

System Verification Test Fixture

• Customized for individual spacecraft I/O to allow convenient manual verification of power setup

Hardware Overview
The overall system is represented by a simplified block diagram and by individual rack block diagrams. Either the Remote User Interface (RUI) or the Remote Operating System (ROS) functions as the Computer In Charge (CIC) and communicates with the system controller in the Main Power Rack (MPR). Diagnostics and troubleshooting can be performed directly from the MPR controller. The MPR provides main bus power from up to five internal power sources. The Solar Array Simulator (SAS) provides solar panel simulation power. The Spacecraft Protection Unit (SPU) protects the spacecraft from damage in case of failure of the built-in OVP/OIP protection. For electrical system loading tests, the Electronic Load Rack (ELR) provides three programmable Electronic Load Units (ELU); the MPR contains an ELU usable when only one ELU is required.

Features

• Integrated subsystem test (SAS, BSS, umbilical systems)
• AC input isolation
• Power validation fixtures
• Redundant over-voltage (OV) & over-current (OI) protections

Technical specifications

• System type: Complete turnkey spacecraft power special test equipment for system functional testing
• Control: Local GUI or remote host computer via single Ethernet address
• AC Isolation transformers: 75 KVA; converts 480 VAC 3-phase Delta to 208 VAC 3-phase Wye
• Main Power Rack (MPR): Five 10 kW power channels (150 VDC at 67 A each)
• Main Power Rack load channel: One 5 kW load channel; 3–450 V, 0–150 A constant current
• Strip chart recorder outputs: Eight programmable outputs
• Solar Array Simulator (SAS): 64 channels; 110 V Voc; 450 W per channel
• Electronic Load Rack (ELR): Three 5 kW load channels; 3–450 V, 0–150 A constant current
• Embedded ELU: MPR contains an ELU for single-ELU use
• Spacecraft Protection Unit (SPU): Provides additional protection beyond built-in OVP/OIP
• Remote User Interface: Ruggedized portable PC with operator interface software
• System verification: Custom test fixtures for spacecraft I/O manual verification
• Scalability: Hardware resources can be scaled to meet customer-specific requirements
• Safety/protections: Cable detection, mode verification, automated fixture identification, redundant protections to prevent damage from programming errors or system failures