Bilateral power conditioner

Modem high power spacecraft operating in near earth orbit require efficient switching regulation in both battery charge and discharge control. In the past, the charge and discharge functions have been performed by separate power conditioners with separate power inductors, power filter capacitors, as well as separate duty cycle control modulators. In an effort to reduce weight, complexity, cost, and improve efficiency, a unique bilateral power conditioner was conceived. This system effectively minimizes part count, weight, and complexity as well as increasing reliability by utilizing common filters and control circuits for both the charge and discharge functions. A description of the requirements, development, circuit operation, circuit comparisons, and performance of the system is presented in this paper.