VPCDU-1 Power Control and Distribution Unit

VECTRONIC Aerospace offers the VPCDU-1, a highly integrated device designed to control the power supply of subsystems within small satellites. This Power Control and Distribution Unit (PCDU) provides power to spacecraft subsystems and payloads, drawing from both the battery and/or solar array. All models include battery charge and discharge regulators adaptable to various battery types such as NiCd, NiH2, or Li-Ion technology. The VPCDU-1 monitors solar array, battery, and load performance, switching individual subsystems either via telecommand or automatically in response to overload or short-circuit conditions. Overload and inrush current can be individually defined for each load. The unit is available with different numbers and combinations of switched and unswitched power outlets in various output voltages to meet specific application requirements. Electronic boards incorporate thermal and over-voltage protection circuits. The unit features redundant modules to enhance reliability and includes interfaces for external microswitches, umbilical lines, and EGSE, along with numerous digital and analog I/O lines. The signal interface is a dual-standard asynchronous SCI on RS422/RS485 level, usable in single full-duplex or bus architectures, with an adjustable baud rate up to 1 Mbaud. An HPC command interface is optionally available. The VPCDU-1 incorporates interfaces to solar arrays and batteries, power outlets to the satellite’s subsystems, functionalities for separation detection micro switches, undervoltage lookout, battery handling, and power conditioning. Power outlets to the satellite’s subsystems are equipped with resettable electronic fuses to prevent system damage from overload or external device malfunction. Most internal functions are controlled by a redundant microprocessor unit. VECTRONIC Aerospace has experience with 8 Power Control Units currently in orbit.