Modeling and Characterization of a Battery Module for Space Usage

Abstract: Today the heart of satellite's power system resides in leading Lithium Ion technology. This work addresses an autonomous electronic balancing circuit as part of the development of a new line of batteries for usage from high power LEO to telecommunications satellites. The aim of the project is to develop a simulation tool which is flexible, parametrical and expandable, in terms of harness array configuration, orbital mission characteristics and battery power profile among others.
This work includes the study and characterization of 2 integrated circuits LM4041 and TL1431 as well as 2 cells of 16[Wh] and 140[Wh]. The mathematical model definition includes the dependency on several parameters such as depth of discharge, electromotive force, internal resistance, temperature, leakage current, and the rate of charge and discharge. These factors describe the thermal-electrochemical behavior of the cell in the macro scale. Quality of the models is evaluated through six sigma standards. Two human-machine interfaces (HMI) have been developed, one to compare the components and select the best configuration in flight and the second to set the space mission parameters and launch the simulation. Statistical approaches such as Monte Carlo method are used to introduce dispersion among the components and simulate the conditions in a real mission. This results on a better approach of component’s ageing and various failure modes. The proposed degree project will be carried out at Centre National d'Études Spatiales in Toulouse in collaboration with SAFT the battery developer and manufacturer in Bordeaux.