Stensat Power
Power is supplied by the top and bottom panel of six GaAs solar cells each of which is used to provide an unregulated main bus voltage of between 3.0 and 4.1 volts under our minimum bus current load for the receiver and controller. The solar cells are connected directly to three 1.2 volt 1/3 Af NiCAD 220 mAh batteries that are connected in series. Schottky diodes are used to protect the two panels. A Linear Technology LCT694-3.3v Microprocessor Supervisory chip is used to switch the controller and transciever off when the bus voltage drops below about 3.0 volts. A National Semiconductor LM431 Precision Zenor Shunt Regulator is used to provide battery overcharge protection.