The European Space Mission GOCE, the AlphaBus Platform and the new High Efficiency Multistage Plasma (HEMP) thruster for future telecom missions, have triggered the development of a Generic High Voltage Power Supply referred as “HVPS Next Generation” at Astrium. Focusing to a generic approach a high voltage module has been designed as a core functional block. It can be manufactured for high voltage levels between a few hundreds Volts up to 2000 Volts at maximum power of 1.4kW per module. Higher power levels can be supported by connecting the necessary number of modules in parallel. The HVPS portfolio comprises basically three different converter topologies which are optimized either for a fixed or a variable output voltage. The high voltage module can be used for all three converter types. The innovative single-staged “Optimum” converter is designed for almost constant busand output voltage conditions. Initial results from full vacuum testing together with a HEMP thruster have demonstrated module efficiency of >97%. The dual-staged “Multi-Range” converter types, however, are featured with additional wideband capability, i.e. they can handle variable input (bus) and output voltages.
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