Method and apparatus for in-situ health monitoring of solar cells in space

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention describe an apparatus including an oscillator, a ramp generator, and an inverter. The oscillator is configured to generate a waveform comprising a low time and a high time. The inverter is configured to receive the waveform generated by the oscillator, and invert the waveform. The ramp generator is configured to increase a gate control voltage of a transistor connected to a solar cell, and rapidly decrease the gate control voltage of the transistor. During the low time, a measurement of a current and a voltage of the solar cell is performed. During the high time, a measurement of a current of a shorted cell and a voltage reference is performed.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a solar cell or solar cell string isolated for in-situ testing and measurement; a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor connected to said solar cell or solar cell string; a time variant excitation voltage to change a gate control voltage of said metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor thus sweeping the channel resistance over its entire range; and wherein a measurement of a current and a voltage of said solar cell or solar cell string is performed as the current and voltage of the solar cell or string are transmitted through a first channel and to a second channel of the solar cell board.