Description
Development of a cost effective modular Power Processing Unit (PPU) concept for Electrical Propulsion
Targeted Improvements:
This activity intends to lower the recurrent cost of EP systems by applying a modular, recurrent approach for all (ancillary) power electronics in EP (apart from the main HV power conversion stage).
Background
A common challenge of today’s European EP systems for telecom applications is their comparatively high cost in comparison with non-European solutions. The Power Processing Unit (PPU) is one of the most complex items of an EP system, and hence, a major cost driver.
Justification
The activity will aim to identify the main power supplies needed for different EP systems with the scope to define a highly modular PPU. This will include for example neutraliser, flow control, and other auxiliary supplies that are usually part of the PPU. A reduction of complexity and a strongly modular approach will be studied.
Starting point
Today’s state of the art PPU designs have been developed in the past years and provide good functionality to drive the several thruster technologies and their peripheral components available on the market. Such PPUs are available from several manufacturers. This technology may serve as a starting point for the activity.
However, most PPU concepts are bound to certain thruster types, xenon feed system and mission configurations. Modularisation and clear definition of the inter-modular interfaces within a PPU will help to optimise the current PPU designs by increasing the flexibility and re-use of existing functional blocks aiming a lower design-to-cost.
Work logic
- Analysis of the requirements of most relevant EP applications and derive the required PPU configurations
- Derive envelope requirements for the modular PPU
- Elaborate a generic PPU definition implementing a high degree of modularity aiming to:
- Minimise the PPU complexity e.g. by establishing synergies or repeatable entities for power converters
- Maximise of re-use of functional blocks for a wide range of EP applications
- Optimise performance, mass, industrialisation approach
- Identify, quantify and optimise the most cost-driving areas
- Demonstrate the feasibility and verify the optimised technology by (partial) breadboarding with focus on the modular and cost-minimisation approach
Tender Specifics