@inproceedings{upm3358, title = {High Performance and Reliable MPPT Solar Array Regulator for the PCDU of LISA Pathfinder}, publisher = {ESA Communication Production Office}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 8th European Space Power Conference (CD-Rom)}, address = {Noordwijk, Nederland}, pages = {0--0}, year = {2008}, isbn = {978-92-9221-225-4}, url = {http://www.congrex.nl/08a02/}, author = {Soto de Pecho, Andr{\'e}s and Lape{\~n}a, Emilio and Otero, J. and Romero, V. and Garc{\'i}a Su{\'a}rez, Oscar and Oliver Ram{\'i}rez, Jes{\'u}s Angel and Alou Cervera, Pedro and Cobos M{\'a}rquez, Jos{\'e} Antonio}, abstract = {LISA PCDU is a very optimised and reliable Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit based on an unregulated 28 V bus, maximum power point tracker (MPPT). The high demanding specification in terms of mass, efficiency and performances can be fulfilled only with unconventional, less conservative solutions. An enormous effort has been done to prove the reliability and robustness of the adopted solutions. Moreover, LISA PCDU faces and solves typical problems of battery follower MPPTs: damage of Li-Ion batteries in case of overdischarge, operation without battery and power loss in Conductance to MPPT transitions. The MPPT Solar Array Regulators module is one of the most impacted designs. The paper explains the main challenges faced and the relevant solutions adopted to achieve this highly optimised and reliable design.} }