Mixed +5V/+3.3V Operation Supported
Many modems, components, plug-in modules and PC/104 still require +5Vdc. Modules on the bus can draw +5V power directly from the CubeSat Kit Bus. Alternately, they can downconvert on each module to lower voltages, e.g. +3.3V.
CubeSat Kit users design their own mission-specific Electrical Power System (EPS) for use in the CubeSat Kit. The EPS must deliver +5V to the CubeSat Kit Bus, with sufficient power to drive the on-board modem, which is generally the largest single power consumer in a CubeSat.
+3.3V Primary Operating Voltage
The FM430 Flight MCU operates at +3.3V, fed from the +5V on the CubeSat Kit Bus. Since all of its I/O pins are connected directly to the CubeSat Kit Bus, additional CubeSat Kit Bus modules and user circuitry connected to the CubeSat Kit Bus will also operate at +3.3V for I/O level compatibility. The FM430 can provide up to 100mA of +3.3V for devices attached to the CubeSat Kit Bus.
24x7 via Extremely Low Power Consumption
By utilizing the ultra-low-power MSP430, the FM430 Flight Module operates at a typical power consumption of 2-20mW, even at full speed. This enables the FM430 to run continuously during a CubeSat mission. Further power savings can be realized via the FM430's 10µW power consumption when in standby / sleep mode
High-current Primary Power Switching
The CubeSat Kit's remove-before-flight and launch switches -- each rated at 10A -- can be configured as high-side (e.g. power interruptors) or low-side (e.g. ground lift) switches, A variety of primary power switching schemes can be accommodated. By utilizing the direct connection of these switches to the CubeSat Kit Bus, customers can minimize discrete point-to-point high-current wiring.
Custom Operating Voltages
The standard power busses in the CubeSat Kit are +5V, +3.3V and GND. The CubeSat Kit Bus supports custom operating voltages via two user-defined pins in the CubeSat Kit Bus, and the ability to isolate the VCC bus from the FM430's +3.3V LDO voltage regulator's output.
