The PPU from Airbus is a Power Processing Unit for Thruster that provides power conditioning and control for the Ion thrusters and xenon flow assembly. It can manage high input currents of up to 37A and output voltage of up to 1200V. This unit can provide a maximum power output of 770 W and can set and control the propulsion system to the necessary thrust levels to achieve the required dynamics and accuracy. It communicates with the CDMU via MIL 1553 bus and acquires the PXFA sensor analog readings including digital 12-bit conversion. The PPU has an efficiency of 92-95 % (beam supply) and requires an input supply of 22-37 V. It has a mass of 17.5 kg and measures 380 x 270 x 205 mm. The PPU was developed especially for ESA’s GOCE mission and is suitable for particularly small, robotic interplanetary exploration missions, earth observation, and science missions.
