Satellites and subsystems > Power solutions > Power conditioning and distribution units (PCDUs) > PCDU for Small Satellites
Key highlights
The Stellar Exploration Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU) is a space-grade, COTS distribution board compatible with standard 28V spacecraft buses. The PCDU manages power distribution from the bus to individual outputs, supplying customer loads with either direct bus voltage or regulated voltages (e.g., 3.3V, 5V, 12V) as required. Heater outputs can be configured to operate in a bang-bang control loop, with optional thermistors for precise temperature control. The total number of outputs cannot exceed 50. All switches are protected with current limiters, undervoltage monitoring, and diode outputs to prevent reverse biasing. The flight computer interface can be configured for RS422 or CAN, with a redundant connection available. Each output can be commanded on or off by the flight computer, or set to automatically turn off at the end of a configurable maximum on-time. Voltage, current, temperature, and status telemetry can be provided in either broadcast or request/response formats.
Key features
- Compatible with standard 28 V buses
- Redundant CAN or RS422 command and telemetry interfaces
- Switched and unswitched bus-level outputs (up to 50)
- Optional regulated outputs
- Up to 95 % efficiency
- Availability upon request
- Full output protection including current limiting, undervoltage, and reverse-bias protection
- Voltage, current, temperature, and status telemetry
- Local watchdog timer
- SEU/SEL tolerant design
- Operational lifetime: 3–5 years
- Optional heater outputs with operation at specific temperature setpoints
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Last updated: 2026-05-22
PCDU for Small Satellites
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