Peak-Power Tracker Versus Direct Energy Transfer Electrical Power Systems

The characteristics of Peak-Power Tracker (PPT) and Direct Energy Transfer (DET) satellite Electrical Power Systems (EPS) are compared with respect to: (1) the ratio of DET to PPT array areas, due to the PPT's ability to extract the “cold array power”. The comparisons will be made assuming equal output power systems using array parameters, array technology, and orbit characteristics as parameters, (2) the ratio of array areas for the two approaches vs load profile over life, with array technology as a parameter, (3) power system efficiency vs. array areas for the two approaches, and (4) PPT tracking accuracy of the array peak-power point. System power dissipation is not addressed for the two approaches.