Patent ID: 8866465

Claim:
A bi-stable nanosatellite solar cell regulator comprising: a nanosatellite; a regulator for peak power tracking of a solar cell power source, the regulator disposed between the solar cell power source and a nanosatellite ring power bus; the regulator comprising; an input current sensor for measuring an input current Iin from the solar cell; a boost converter for receiving an input voltage Vin at the input current Iin from the solar cell providing input power (Vin)(Iin), the regulator providing an output current Iout, the regulator converting the input power to output power (VBus)(Iout) where VBus>Vin, the output power is communicated onto the ring power bus, the ring power bus having an output bus voltage VBus, the solar cell having a maximum power point; when the load presented by the boost converter exceeds the solar cell power source maximum power point, the boost converter operable to control the solar cell power source voltage at a reference voltage corresponding to a maximum power point of the solar cell power source minus a selected offset voltage; and, when the load presented by the boost converter does not exceed the solar cell power source maximum power point, the boost converter being operated to supply power equal to the load.