Computer Architecture of the PPU for Integrated FEEP Propulsion System

Inhalt:
In recent years FOTEC has developed the IFM Nano thruster, an integrated electric propulsion system based on the porous tungsten crown emitter. The module does fit into a one unit CubeSat or equivalent micro- or nano-satellite. The goal of this development was the combination of very advanced FEEP (field emission electric propulsion) technology with an in-house developed PPU (power processing unit) based on cost-effective COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) electric components. Market analysis has shown the high demand on cost-effective, small, light-weight, high Deltav electric propulsion systems. With the use of conventional rad-hard components this miniaturization step would not have been possible and the market’s expectations on the price of such a propulsion system would have been exceeded by one order of magnitude. In this document the focus is laid on the system topology and the software architecture of the PPU. The means taken by FOTEC to ensure data integrity, high reliability and fault tolerance are explained in detail. The in-orbit demonstration of the first IFM nano modules in Q4 2017 will show the accomplished quality and reliability of the IFM nano module and will give valuable feed-back for further developments and improvements.