Reconfigurable magnetorquer for the CubePMT module of CubeSat satellites

Abstract

This paper describes reconfigurable magnetorquer coil designed and implemented for the CubePMT (CubeSat power management tile) module of CubeSat. CubeSat has different modules and Power Management Tile (PMT) is the fundamental one. We designed Power Management Tile for the CubeSats, called CubePMT. It comprises of power supply, housekeeping and attitude sensors, on-board processor and attitude actuator. CubeSat requires precise and efficient attitude actuators subsystem. Magnetorquer coil is the most essential element of the attitude actuator subsystem. It generates magnetic field which interacts with the earth magnetic field and provides torque to the satellite. The goal of this work is to provide CubeSat with a magnetorquer coil which has small dimensions, less weight and low heat generation inside PCB. It should be reconfigurable and occupy no extra space on the spacecraft. It is integrated inside PCB four internal layers. Magnetorquer coil in each layer is treated as individual coil and is attached through switches. Changing the arrangements of these switches, one can use either a single coil, two, three or four coils in series or in parallel. This reconfigurable design gives a freedom in generating any amount of dipole moment and control power dissipation and heat generation inside the CubePMT module.