关键词: 脉冲等离子体推力器;电推进系统;电源处理单元;放电点火电路;LC振荡电路

Abstract: In order to improve the life and reliability when igniting the pulsed plasma thrusters，a power processing unit of discharging energy 2.6J applied for microsatellites pulsed plasma electric propulsion system was designed by using theoretical calculation and ground test methods，its’ discharge initiation pulse circuit was based on a LC resonant tank circuit. The performance of discharge initiation pulse circuit and the current stress of the switch，as well as the stable reliability of the whole power processing unit were studied. The results show the current stress of the switch is smaller in the LC resonant tank circuit，improving the reliability of the whole circuit. Besides，the peak value of ignition current can reach 100A～150A when the input voltage of this discharge initiation pulse circuit is 800V. This high current discharge contributes to clearing the carbon deposition on the surface of the spark plug.

Key words: Pulsed plasma thruster;Electric propulsion system;Power processing unit;Discharge initiation pulse circuit;LC resonant tank circuit