Research
Simulator Energy Produced by Photovoltaic Panels used in the Validation of Power Balance in Cubesats
The CubeSats are small satellites with cubic shaped structures that are electrically energized only after inserted into orbit operation. Due to this condition it is necessary that the components of the electrical architecture cubesat are properly tested before of the operation in orbit, to highlight the level of reliability suitable for the application in question. In this context, this paper proposes a model to simulate the energy produced by photovoltaic panels in order to make the test charge and discharge batteries that are present in the power distribution system that supplies the electrical and electronic components installed on the cubesat. The validation of the simulation discussed in this work is done by testing the prototype which has been developed for this purpose. The positive results observed in the tests suggest that the simulation is able to reproduce the main conditions of energy production that is performed by the photovoltaic panel’s cubesat in the orbit of operation.
Petri Nets applied to the Analysis of Algorithm for Space Vehicles Integration Tower Self Test
The satellite launch vehicle currently developed in Brazil, need that their modules are integrated into an unit called by Integration Movable Tower. In the tower structure is installed: moving bridge, elevator, work platforms, doors, movement trucks and other equipment that aids the accomplishment of integration tasks, tests and vehicle launching. In order to perform the foreseen procedures in the aforementioned tasks, the equipment are submitted to several operational tests prior to utilization of integration tower control system. On that context, this work presents a proposal of model developed by means of Petri Nets to represent the algorithm steps that tests the sensors and actuators included into the main equipment installed in the mentioned integration tower. That is carried out computational simulations with the target of identifying the Petri Nets properties that are related to the confusion conflicts and dead lock. The results obtained in the simulations indicates that the proposed model is able of representing the sensors and actuator operation embedded inside a standard equipment during the self test and based upon that is evaluated the algorithm performance.
