Design and conception of an electrical power system for 1U CubeSat using MATLAB/Simulink

This paper deals with the modelling of a power supply system (EPS) for a CubeSat. This is an extension of our previous work where the modelling of the triple-junction solar cells employed for this CubeSat is performed in MATLAB/Simulink, and a software and hardware optimisation of the energy produced by these PV cells is performed under real weather conditions using MPPT techniques. In this study, the model is extended to include a Lithium-ion battery for energy storage, a charge and discharge control algorithm to efficiently monitor the performance of the battery, and a distribution system to supply energy to various subsystems of the CubeSat. The extended model, developed in MATLAB/Simulink, ensures efficient power management and guarantees a stable performance of the CubeSat. The simulation results validate the performance of the power system, demonstrating its ability to meet the CubeSat's energy requirements throughout its mission. This work provides a robust framework for the design and optimisation of power systems for small satellites.