SEPTA®31

Solar Array Drive Assembly

RUAG Space | Schaffhauserstrasse 580 | CH-8052 Zurich | Switzerland

Phone +41 44 306 2211 | [email protected] | www.ruag.com/space
GENERAL DESCRIPTION Position measurement is achieved using main and redundant
The SEPTA 31 Solar Array Drive Assembly (SADA) is designed potentiometers, which feedback an analogue 0 V to 5 V signal,
to fulfil a large range of applications on satellites with a mass of delivering a continuous angular position of the SADA with a full
approximately 500 kg in LEO and MEO orbit that are used for measurement scale of 180°. The potentiometers have a total
scientific or telecommunications purposes by using a standard resistance of 4 k 5%.
product to minimise costs at a system level. The SADA is fully
space qualified and consists of: an actuator, a slip ring assembly 1

(composed of a collector for power and signal transfer) and two

potentiometers for position feedback. Cold redundancy can be
achieved by equipping the SADA with two identical embedded
drive electronics for main and redundant operation. Within the 0
0 180 360 540
qualification programme, 35 000 in orbit revolutions (including a
safety margin) have been achieved and the SEPTA 31 has over
120 years of cumulated flight heritage since 2001. The SADA is powered using a two phase hybrid stepper motor
with redundant windings giving 36 000 stable (un-powered)
positions of the output shaft over one revolution.

OPTIONS
The SEPTA 31-E/R and -E/S incorporate fully space qualified
electronics integrated at the rear of the SEPTA 31 on two
separate PCB’s. The SEPTA 31-E/S version can be fed using
50 V±1 V regulated power bus, the SEPTA 31-E/R version is
powered using an unregulated 21 V to 36 V power bus.

The main functions of the SEPTA 31 are to sustain and rotate the The SEPTA 31-M version without embedded electronics can be
Solar Array Panel in both forward or reverse directions, as well as powered directly with a dual phase sinusoidal 21 V to 36 V input
transfer power, signals and grounding from the Solar Array to the with a maximum current of 80 mA. This version may be upgraded
satellite. The SEPTA 31 has a very precise rotational resolution to provide a main and redundant zero position switch using a
(step size) of 0.01° and a maximum speed of 60°/min (one Reed Relay (SEPTA 31-M/RR).
rotation per 6 minutes). The position of the Solar Array is
measured using two redundant potentiometers delivering an The following SEPTA 31 Models are available:
accuracy of ±0.5°.
Drive Electronics
Drive Electronics

The collector consists of 60 current transfer rings made from gold

Potentiometer

Reset Switch
plated brass, rated for the following currents: 48 power tracks at
1.65 ARMS; 2 ground tracks at 1.65 ARMS; 10 signal tracks at
21V to 36V

50V ±1V

0.25 ARMS. Moulding of rings and contacts wires, together with

wires and soldering points, within a charged space qualified
epoxy gives a very high electrical insulation. SEPTA 31-E/R x - x -
SEPTA 31-E/S - x x -
SEPTA 31-M - - x -
SEPTA 31-M/RR - - x x

ON
command

OFF
command

R power line
Vbus

ON/OFF status Rregul

R relay

COIL 1
5V
Regulator Reset

Frequency
Logical
Command
Rotation direction
COIL2

Figure 1: SADE Block Diagram SEPTA 31-E/R Figure 1: SADE Block Diagram SEPTA 31-E/S

2 Septa 31 Solar Array Drive Assembly

COMMAND SIGNALS ON-OFF TIMING discharges. Therefore, proper ESD precautions are
The command signals for frequency and direction are following recommended to avoid performance degradation or loss of
the on/off timing characteristics as given below: functionality.

Rt Ft
High level: 2.4-5 V VIBRATION LEVEL ON FM
90% 90%
Low level: <0.4 V For SEPTA 31 acceptance tests the acceleration levels for X- and
Rt <0.5 ms Z-axis, parallel to mounting plate, for random vibration high levels
Ft <0.5 ms is given as follows:
10%
10%
Duration >1 ms

SADE INTERFACE
Pin Function I V F R Rt Ft Width I/F
J3/4 (mA) (V) (Hz) (Ω) (ms) (ms) (ms)
6 + On/Off Status 1000 28 I/O
5 - On/Off Status 1000 28 I/O
3 + Power Bus 200 36 Power
1 - Power Bus 200 0 Power
8 + Off (SADE OFF) 24 12 500 0.5 0.5 1 O
7 - Off (SADE OFF) 24 12 500 0.5 0.5 1 O
14 + On (SADE ON) 24 12 500 0.5 0.5 1 O
11 - On (SADE ON) 24 12 500 0.5 0.5 1 O
10 + Direction (Sens) 10 5 I
9 - Direction (Sens) 10 5 I
13 + Frequency (Pulse) 10 5 100 I
12 - Frequency (Pulse) 10 5 100 I
4 - Thermistor 15000 O Random vibration levels for acceleration on Y-axis correspond
2 + Thermistor 15000 O
int + Motor Coil Sine 200 30 100 Power with the following diagram:
int - Motor Coil Sine 200 30 100 Power
int + Motor Coil Cosine 200 30 100 Power
int - Motor Coil Cosine 200 30 100 Power

RADIATION ENVIROMENT
The following space radiation environment curve was applied
during SEPTA 31 qualification testing. Higher radiation tolerance
may be achieved by increasing the thickness of the SADE
housing in order to fulfill the required environment conditions.

PACKAGING AND STORAGE

The SEPTA 31 is delivered by RUAG SPACE mounted on a
handling tool equipped with shock detectors.

The SEPTA 31 shall be kept in a clean room class 8 (100’000)

environment and shall be protected from direct UV-light. If moved
out of a clean environment, it has to be double bagged and
sealed in antistatic protective foil (ESD) under dry nitrogen.

DELIVERABLES
- FM or PFM-Units
- Transport and Handling Jigs (temporary only)
- EIDP (CD-ROM):
 Certificate of Conformity
 CIDL & ABCL
 Logbook
 Interface Control Document
 User’s Manual
 RfD’s / RfW’s
ESD  NCR’s
The SEPTA 31-E/R and –E/S are ESD (electrostatic discharge)  Minutes of Meetings
sensitive devices. Electrostatic charge as high as 4’000V readily  Acceptance Test Plan
accumulate on the human body and can discharge through the  Acceptance Test Report
test equipment without detection. Although the OP470 features
proprietary ESD protection circuitry, permanent damage may
occur on devices subjected to high energy electrostatic

3 Septa 31 Solar Array Drive Assembly

DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS

Mechanism

Drive direction Forward and reverse rotation (endless rotation)

Speed range 0 to 1 rev / 6 min

Maximum rotation speed 1°/s

1 revolution 36000 steps

1 step 0.01°

Qualified life span 8 years in orbit

+ 5 year storage (2 years integrated on Satellite)

Revolutions performance 500 on ground

35000 orbital rotation

Qualification sequence 84000 complete rotations

Motor

Winding resistance 285 Ω 5%

Number of steps per revolution of motor 360

Stabile positions (motor is unpowered) 360

SA holing torque (unpowered motor ) ≥ 2.8 Nm

SA average torque(powered motor) ≥ 10.6 Nm

SA repeated peak torque (powered motor) ≥ 14.7 Nm (starting and stop)

SA momentary peak torque (powered motor) ≥ 19.6 Nm (exceptional peak torque)

Power Transfer (forward or reverse line)

Number of power transfers 48 (24 each forward or reverse)

Current 1.65 ARMS

Voltage Nom. 55 V

Power transfer < 2,2 kW

Insulation ≥ 10 MΩ

Noise 10 mVRMS/A

Signal Transfer (forward or reverse line)

Signal transfer number 10

Current 0.25 ARMS

Voltage 55 V

Insulation ≥ 10 MΩ

Noise 10 mVRMS/A

Position Measurement

Potentiometer resistance 4.0 k  5%

Potentiometer accuracy 0.5° resp. (8.73 x 10-3 rad)

Potentiometer linearity 0.15%

4 Septa 31 Solar Array Drive Assembly

Dimensions

External diameter 99 mm

Fixation flange diameter 140 mm

Total length (from SA interface flange to rear part) 215 mm

Mass without external leads and connectors M ≤ 3.0 kg

Mass with external leads and connectors M ≤ 3.6 kg

Fixation PF interface SA interface

Fixation See Figure 3 to 6 See Figure 3 to 6

Power Consumption VBUS Pmotor PSADE Total Power

Maximum conditions (Type - E/R) 21 V - 36 V 2.34 W 3.28 W <7W

Maximum conditions (Type - E/S) 50 V 2.34 W 3.18 W <7W

Temperature Specification Tmin TAmbient Tmax

Ground Storage + 10°C +20°C + 40°C

In orbit non operational - 40°C + 75°C

Cold start-up limit - 40°C

In orbit operational - 40°C +20°C + 75°C

Environment conditions during operation

Orbits LEO MEO GEO

Radiation Total Dose (Shielding 6mm Al) 17.3 krad (depending on SADE housing and structure shielding)

SADM Connectors

J1 SA Power DDMA50S

J2 SA & Position Signal DBMA25P

J3 SADE Main DAMA15P

J4 SADE Redundant DAMA15P

J5 SA Power DDMA50P

J6 SA Signals DBMA25S

Radiative Interface Slip ring housing Motor housing Electronic housing

External finish (nature) Black anodizing Black paint Black anodizing

Emissivity () 0.85 0.85 0.85

Absorption () 0.80 0.80

Interface load allowables Flight Qualification

Axial load (Fy) 200 N 300 N

Radial load (Fxz) 333 N 500 N

Torsional moment (My) 6.7 Nm 10 Nm

Bending moment (Mxz) 167 Nm 250 Nm

5 Septa 31 Solar Array Drive Assembly

Stiffnesses
6
Axial stiffness (Ky) > 10*10 N/m
6
Shear stiffness (Kxz) > 50*10 N/m

Torsion angular stiffnes (K y) > 1500 Nm/rad

Bending angular stiffness (K xz) > 5000 Nm/rad

Environment conditions during launch

High level sine vibration: Frequency (Hz)  MOUNTING PLANE // MOUNTING PLANE

5 to 26 11 mm 11 mm

26 to 100 30 g 18 g

100 to 130 13.5 g 7.8 g

sweep rate 2 oct / min

Random vibration: Frequency (Hz)  MOUNTING PLANE // MOUNTING PLANE

20-100 +3 dB/oct +3 dB/oct

100-400 0.600 g²/Hz 0.300 g²/Hz

400-606 -5 dB/oct -5 dB/oct

606-662 -5 dB/oct 0.150 g²/Hz

662-1000 0.260 g²/Hz 0.150 g²/Hz

1000-2000 -6 dB/oct -6 dB/oct

Global 23.0 grms 16.8 grms

Shock levels for each axes (X, Y, Z): Frequency (Hz) Shock input levels

200 300 g

2000 3000 g

10000 3000 g

FLIGHT MODEL (FM) ACCEPTANCE PROGRAMME

The flight model acceptance programme normally includes the
following tests:
- Inspection and control
- Mass measurement
- Functional characteristics measurement
- Vibration tests (FM-level)
- Thermal vacuum cycling with performance tests
- Inspection and Control

Information furnished by RUAG Space is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by RUAG Space for its use, or for
any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties that may result from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any
patent or patent rights of RUAG Space.

6 Septa 31 Solar Array Drive Assembly

DIMENSIONS AND MECHANICAL INTERFACES FOR SEPTA 31-E/S

Figure 2: SEPTA 31-E/S & -E/R plan view

Figure 4: SEPTA 31-E/S & -E/R plan view with connectors

Figure 3: SEPTA 31-E/S & -E/R Solar Panel Interface side view
Figure 5: SEPTA 31-E/S & -E/R rear view

7 Septa 31 Solar Array Drive Assembly

ELECTRICAL INTERFACES FOR SEPTA 31-E/S

Figure 6: SEPTA 31-E/S & -E/R SADE electrical interface

Figure 8: SEPTA 31 power transfer and position sensor’s electrical interface

8 Septa 31 Solar Array Drive Assembly