Design and Implementation of On-board Electrical Power ... - OUFTI-1

Chapter 6Prototypes of the EPS6.1 IntroductionThe initial development plan of the subsystems cards of OUFTI-1 included three phasesconcerning the realization and tests of prototypes: the breadboards model, the engineeringmodel, and the flight model.• Phase 1: The breadboards model.The different modules of a subsystem are made on breadboards. This allows to knowthe electrical components and test if the modules work fine independently. Severalprototypes were made during the internship of Philippe Ledent at Thales Alenia Space:one prototype of the first dissipation system, one PCB with the prototypes of the threeDC/DC converters. Two prototypes were made during this work: the prototype of thesecond dissipation system and the prototype of the protection circuit. The breadboardsmodels were tested during the internship of the author. Most important tests and resultsare reported in [1].• Phase 2: The engineering model.The engineering model is an on-scale PCB prototype. It is supposed to be nearlyidentical to flight model but it is only devoted to tests. The engineering model caninclude more test points or jumpers than the flight model. The engineering model ofthe EPS was made during this work. The realization of the engineering model will bedetailed in this chapter. The tests on the engineering model are reported in [1] too.• Phase 3: The flight model.The flight model is the model that will be sent in space. It will be produced next year,when the engineering model is fully validated.6.2 The breadboards modelThis sections presents the prototypes on breadboard made during this work: the seconddissipation system and the protection circuit.91