Modeling and Simulation of Solar Array Drive Assembly Disturbance Driving a Flexible Load

Abstract

SADA (Solar Array Drive Assembly) is used to drive solar array rotating in spacecraft in order to get the most solar energy. The disturbance generated by SADA driving its load will influence the imaging quality and pointing accuracy of spacecraft. This research focuses on the disturbance properties of SADA driving a flexible load. Firstly, the disturbance model of SADA driving no load is obtained by deducing and simplifying the electromagnetic model of SADA. Secondly, the disturbance model of SADA driving a flexible load (a three-degree of freedom inertia-spring-damping system) is achieved based on the disturbance model of SADA driving no load. Finally, the disturbance model of SADA driving a flexible load is simulated by using Matlab/Simulink toolbox. The simulation result shows that: the disturbance frequencies of SADA driving a flexible load are consisting of all the natural frequencies of the coupled mechanical system and the input frequency of the electrical pulse signal and its harmonic frequencies.