TUTORIAL SESSIONS

Monday, 2 October 09:00-10:40

1. AUDITORIUM

José A. Cobos – UPM

SURFACE power delivery, the future of High-Performance Computing

High performance computing requires high performance dc-dc power converters, supplying low voltages 0.5-1.2V with adaptive voltage scaling (AVS), high current (<1.000A), very demanding load steps (> 5.000A/ms) and very high and variable voltage gain (>48) to regulate an input voltage in the range 40-60V. Low losses (peak efficiency >97%) and high surface current density (>1A/mm2) complete these high performance requirements.

Proposed “SURFACE power delivery” is an extension of the “VERTICAL power delivery” trend that is replacing “LATERAL power delivery” in large chips (>1.000mm²) to reduce copper losses in the power delivery path and maintain supply voltage integrity in the chip.

Three novel concepts are described and validated in this talk: a) “extended duty cycle” (60-95%) in both primary and secondary power switches; b) “segmented winding transformer, SWT” and c) “edge dynamics”. These three concepts are implemented in a novel “Direct Power Converter, DPx”

2. CONFERENCE ROOM

Steve Taylor – ESA

Solar Cells for Space Applications

The tutorial gives a brief explanation about how solar cells work and how they are used to make solar arrays for operation in the space environment.

Christophe Fongarland - ESA

Nuclear Power

For long duration missions that cannot rely on harnessing the external power of the sun, electrochemical energy storage and chemical fuels are simply too low in energy density to provide useful amounts of energy. Nuclear processes, however, can have huge energy densities, and for this reason, nuclear power systems (NPS) are the only current alternative to solar arrays for long–term supply of power in space.

This training provides a broad review of NPS; their applications and advantages, as well as Safety aspects and the associated regulatory implications are briefly explained. For Radioisotopic Power Systems (RPS) the rationale for radioisotope selection is explained, including technical, safety and availability aspects. A review of power conversion methods explains the principles of each, as well as considering their important performance characteristics and heritage. The ESA’s ENDURE technology development activities in the field of RPS are summarised and the industrial and academic resources that will be exploited in the development are identified.

3. S1

Sara Morales Serrano – ESA

Space Debris Mitigation Standard evolution and impact on power design subsystem

With the recent fast growth in the number of satellites being launched and operating in Earth orbit in the last years, the sustainable use of space is an urgent necessity in order not to jeopardise the use of the most valuable Earth orbits for the future. The number of launched space objects yearly into the LEO protected region today is more than 10 times fold what it was 10 years ago, rendering the existing Space Debris Mitigation (SDM) standards insufficient to avoid the space debris proliferation. There is a widespread call for more stringent SDM requirements worldwide.

ESA aims to lead by example in the protection of space environment by developing and implementing a Zero Debris policy by 2030 that guarantees the long-term space sustainability. The first step of this proactive approach is already on the way with the publication in 2023 of the new ESA Space Debris Mitigation and respective technical standard.

In this tutorial ESA will introduce the main changes that will be brought by the 2023 ESA Space Debris Mitigation standard and assess the impacts these will have on the design of future power systems for different satellite classes and orbits. The needs for technology evolution and opportunities for innovative solutions will also be presented and discussed as well as the ways the power subsystem industry to contribute to this common effort.

Monday, 2 October 11:10-12:50

1. AUDITORIUM

Ferdinando Tonicello – ESA

Common failures reference catalogue

At the latest ESPC 2019 a tutorial was held on Failure propagation in electrical and electronic space systems. The relevant tutorial slides are attached.

One of the promises made at that time was to compile a “Failures Reference Catalogue” based on a cooperative initiative, accepting both internal (ESA) and external inputs.

Thanks to the efforts of several people, we are glad to present a set of such failure cases, illustrating the issues and the possible solution or solutions to the identified problems.

The inputs will be presented by the relevant authors.

The presented inputs will be shared with the interested audience persons (a file with all the compiled cases will be made available after the conference).

2. CONFERENCE ROOM

Carsten Baur – ESA

Solar cell degradation in space due to particle irradiation

Modelling of solar cell degradation due to particle irradiation forms an important part of the power analysis for space missions. Two methods are nowadays applied to carry out this kind of analysis – the so-called “equivalent fluence method” that was first described by scientist from JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and the “displacement damage dose” method that was introduced by NRL (Naval Research Laboratory). Both methods will be described. Pros and cons of each method will be discussed and the way to get consistent results will be provided. An important part of the tutorial will be dedicated to practical examples. Questions like: “How do I analyse a given data set?” and “How do I get a remaining factor for a given mission by using SPENVIS?” will be addressed.

3. S1

Ugo Lafont – ESA

Development of new technologies matching European regulations on materials.

European regulation on chemical substance like REACH have a continuous impact on the materials used for space application leading to ban or restriction of certain subtance directly affecting availability of material. Recently, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are considered to be drastically restricted due to their impact on the environment. A first internal survey made by ESA on PFAS used in ESA project has identified 8000-12000 individual items entries, mostly fluoropolymers like Teflon, Tefzel, FEP, PFA, PVDF that are use in many materials.

In additon to such restriction on matterias imposed by European regulation, industries need to take into account their carbon foot print with the entire production chain. This need to be done by mean of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in order to promote Eco Design. Such change of paradigm is a requierement that will be impose in all future space project.

In this respect the aim of this tutorial is to expose to the particiapant what can be done at material level to meet these future requirements with minimum impact on the industrial chain.

The tutorial will bring the audience to a common understanding regarding LCA and Ecodesign and provide several example of ongoing technology development for space application aiming to meet this requirement. The example provided will also expose the new materials and processes that should facilitate CO2 impact but as well lower cost, faster production but still keeping a high level of reliabity.

The focus will be mainly in the field of non-metallic materials. Advance in composite using bio based species, vitrimers matrix enabling recycling, reparing and self bonding capabilities as well as self-healing capabilities. From the thermoplastics side, the functional performance of electrically conductive high performance thermoplastics (like PEEK) processed by additive manufacturing and its applications will be presented. Last, 4D printing concept that brings new capabilities and design concept will be mentionned focussing on electrically induced shape changing possibilities and bio-inspired composite in view of mechanism replacement.