This paper describes the design, manufacturing and testing, of a low cost breadboard for solar cells testing in the outer space. Using low power microprocessors, such as the Texas Instrument MSP430 family, an independent, self powered and compact logic system is developed. The aim of the breadboard is to monitor operating voltage and temperature of chosen solar cells and produce a set of data to be sent, via an UART link, to the main spacecraft bus and from this eventually to a ground station. The paper presents the design of the underlying electric circuit, a careful definition of the resistors to be used to design the complete current–tension curve and the development of a dedicate software to command the microprocessor. For the prototype developed in this study an architecture with 12 solar cells has been chosen. The breadboard allows for separating these cells in three groups to test both bare cells and two different kinds of coatings. For each group of cells it is also possible to monitor the operating temperature. All data will be stored in the microprocessor internal memory, ready to be sent to a ground station.
Design and realization of a breadboard for in-space solar cells testing and characterization
MARCUCCIO, SALVO
2013-01-01
Abstract
This paper describes the design, manufacturing and testing, of a low cost breadboard for solar cells testing in the outer space. Using low power microprocessors, such as the Texas Instrument MSP430 family, an independent, self powered and compact logic system is developed. The aim of the breadboard is to monitor operating voltage and temperature of chosen solar cells and produce a set of data to be sent, via an UART link, to the main spacecraft bus and from this eventually to a ground station. The paper presents the design of the underlying electric circuit, a careful definition of the resistors to be used to design the complete current–tension curve and the development of a dedicate software to command the microprocessor. For the prototype developed in this study an architecture with 12 solar cells has been chosen. The breadboard allows for separating these cells in three groups to test both bare cells and two different kinds of coatings. For each group of cells it is also possible to monitor the operating temperature. All data will be stored in the microprocessor internal memory, ready to be sent to a ground station.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
