Application of integrated circuits in ion thruster power conditioning

The power conditioning system described is designed for operation from a 40 to 80 volt solar panel to supply power to a 20 cmo xide cathodeion thruster . The system was tested for more than 1300 hours and sustained thousands of arcs which produce large electromagnetic disturbances . Integ rated circuit swere used throughout for control and telemetry functions. Of special interest is a digit almulti phase modulator used in conjunction with eight inverters to produce 2 kv regulated to within 1 percent at load currents up to 1 ampere . Special care was used to filter noise transients on bus and input lines where integrated circuits were used . Design goal reliability was made possible through the use of integrated circuit s for the complex power conditioning control system .