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Keysight Technologies
Solving the Challenges of
Solar Array Simulation
Helping you select the optimal power
solution for satellite ground testing

Application Note

The goal of this note is to help you deine the
optimal power solution for satellite ground testing.
We do this in four parts: a brief overview of solar
cell behavior; a review of operational conditions in
orbit; an outline of the need for a purpose-built
SAS; and the key attributes of the optimal solution.
For additional information, a list of related literature
is included at the end of the note.
Introduction

Satellites are some of the world's most delicate and expensive electronic devices. Because most
take a one-way trip into space, they are thoroughly tested on the ground before launch. Within the
complement of electronic ground support equipment (EGSE), a typical test system contains two major
elements: The instrumentation that tests the various electronic subsystems; and one or more power
sources for the subsystems. The power sources must accurately simulate the behavior of solar arrays
that face widely varied operating conditions in space.

During testing, it's seldom possible to use actual solar arrays to provide power. Two of the reasons
for this are obvious: There is no direct sunlight in a test bay, and it isn't practical to test outside. Two
additional reasons are crucial to accurate testing: repeatability and controllability. These attributes
make it possible to simulate the effects of varying operating conditions--light intensity, temperature,
shadow, eclipse--at multiple operating points and achieve consistent results.

The recommended solution is to simulate a solar array with electronic test equipment, but it isn't easy
to accurately mimic the behavior of solar cells and solar arrays. Fortunately, purpose-built solar array
simulator (SAS) instrumentation is commercially available. Compared to "homebrew" simulators, an
SAS offers the advantages of standard, commercial off-the-shelf equipment: