Investigation into the potential use of integrated switching regulators for low-voltage, low-power phovotovoltaic conversion in space applications

With the advent of PoL (Point of Load) technology, several commercial integrated switching regulators already have their space-qualified versions. Apart of its original purpose, other functions can be explored using those integrated circuits. In this work, Solar Array Regulation with Global Maximum Power Point capability is analyzed. Maximum power tracking and input voltage regulation have been studied and verified experimentally in a low-voltage, low-power battery bus configuration. Nano and pico-satellites, like CubeSats, are the main potential users for this approach.