Moog Space and Defense Group, part of Moog Inc., is tapping Application Specific Integrated Circuit technology to design a new electronic driver module for stepper-based applications and solenoid valves used on spacecraft. The new module is part of Moog’s effort to provide advanced motion-control components and avionics for satellites and launch vehicles.

“We believe our new driver module improves on anything currently available to the space industry,” said Dr. Ali Ghavimi, business unit engineering manager for Moog. “The benefits are radiation hardness, modularity, compactness, performance and cost.”

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Moog will make the new driver module for applications such as solar array drive assemblies and antenna pointing mechanisms. The module will be at least 50 percent lighter than the current Moog hybrid driver and will operate in radiation environments up to 100 KRad TID and at temperatures from -55°C to +100°C. The module’s electrical characteristics include input voltage ranging from 20V to 45V with a maximum current capability of 2A. Total power dissipation for the module is less than 1W in standby mode, and less than 6W at 36V in all other operational modes.

“Our new driver module is capable of driving 2-, 3-, or 4-phase stepper motors operating in either cardinal stepping or micro-stepping modes,” added Ghavimi.

In cardinal stepping mode, design engineers can configure the unit to operate using either linear or pulse-width modulation (PWM) current control. All micro-stepping modes employ a PWM current control scheme.

The new driver module operates in multiple modes to support appropriate system-level operational scenarios. For example, design engineers can configure the module on-the-fly to operate in single cardinal stepping for slew mode, where there is no system tracking or induced jitter requirement, and in micro-stepping mode, where there is a tight performance requirement. The driver module also allows for real-time changes to the motor current limit when operating in PWM mode. This feature ensures appropriate torque is available when needed.

Engineers can also apply the driver module to a spaceborne solenoid valve application. In the solenoid mode, the module can control up to four independent channels.

"Customers can also use our next-generation of versatile electronic control units to integrate the driver module with other higher subsystem electronics,” said Ghavimi.

The new Moog driver module meets MIL-PRF-38534 Class K requirements and NASA EEE-INST-002 Level 1 requirements.