Highly Regulative DC Power Supply Units for Space Applications using Spacecrafts Standard Power Buses

International Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

© 2026 by SSRG - IJEEE Journal

Volume 13 Issue 1

Year of Publication : 2026

Authors : Sunanda, Supreeth, Bhanuprakash, Adinath

10.14445/23488379/IJEEE-V13I1P117

How to Cite?

Sunanda, Supreeth, Bhanuprakash, Adinath, "Highly Regulative DC Power Supply Units for Space Applications using Spacecrafts Standard Power Buses," SSRG International Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, vol. 13,  no. 1, pp. 174-184, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488379/IJEEE-V13I1P117

Abstract:

The research paper focuses on the design and hardware implementation of a one-switch DC to DC forward converter topology with a coupled inductor as a post regulator to provide dual outputs of 5V and 3.3V. The input is in the range of 65 to 75volts, commonly available from spacecraft’s standard power buses. Voltage feed-forward control method is employed, and the proposed topology is optimized for space applications, offering improved line and load regulations, and reduced ripples in outputs. The novelty in the research work is the use of coupled inductors as post regulators and nanocrystalline ferrite cores for transformers. A nanocrystalline ferrite core transformer is used to reduce heating and core losses. By employing coupled inductors, the design achieves better magnetic coupling and minimizes leakage inductance. The resulting converter architecture meets the performance and safety requirements of space constraints. The experimental results obtained from the hardware prototype are presented to validate the performance of the designed converter. Across all load conditions, the line and load regulations of the designed converter remain below 1%. The proposed forward converter uses the solar energy stored in the spacecrafts power buses and converts it into constant 5V & 3.3V DC values to power the digital devices present in the spacecrafts.

Keywords:

Forward converter, Coupled inductor, Leakage inductance, Voltage ripple, Line regulation, Load regulation.

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