EE 492 (Fall 2007) - Senior Design Project - Solar Array Maximum Power Point Tracker






				Solar Array Maximum Power Point Tracker EE 492 (Fall 2007) - Senior Design Project Students: Drew Eldeen, Gabriel Guillen Sponsor: SSEL Advisor: Prof. Hashem Nehrir Description: The goal of this senior design project is deliver a knowledge base to our sponsor on the how a solar array maximum power point tracker works, can be designed, and how the delivered design can be changed to work for any of the SSEL's satellite projects. We will deliver a working prototype that will use a solar array and battery pack that is supplied by the SSEL. We will deliver a schematic and parts lists. We will also provide documentation detailing why certain design choices were made. The final product will include a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) with the following specifications: Must track and operate at a greater power than a directly connected technique Must be analog circuitry based with no microprocessors Must work with arrays ranging from 10 to 30 Volts Must fit within a 4x4x4 inch volume Must charge battery bus ranging from 5 to 15 Volts Must allow paralleling of multiple MPPT Must incorporate a filter to eliminate noise that may damage other spacecraft instruments Constraints: 1. Economic In order to minimize the cost this design in its entirety is composed of simple operational amplifiers, analog comparators, resistors, capacitors, inductors, logic gates, general purpose transistors, and power MOSFETs which are generally cheap and very common. 2. Environmental The purpose for this design did not require space rated parts since it is for learning and the development of a MPPT, so this design needs to function under laboratory conditions.. 3. Sustainability The component choices were made from basic industry standard devices. This way part availability should not be a problem. All parts have alternatives and most alternatives are pin to pin drop in replacements. 4. Manufacturability In order to increase manufacturability, this device has been designed out of very basic components using industry standard packages. 5. Ethical All deliverables need to be easy to understand and provide the SSEL with a knowledge base for use in further specific developments. 6. Health and Safety This device has been carefully designed with proper power rated devices so that no over heating or unexpected fire hazards may occur. This design will include safety features to prevent failure from reverse voltages. 7. Political All oscillating signals produced within this device shall be inhibited from radiating unwanted frequencies into the space around it. To eliminate this the design developed by the SSEL should include a EMI sheilding enclosure.