Abstract: A precise system dynamics model of the solar array drive system (SADS) is established, the disturbance characteristics test in the ground environment is carried out, the essential condition for generating disturbance is discussed, and the disturbing factors of SADS as well as their disturbance characteristics in time and frequency domain are analyzed. The results show that the analysis results based on the dynamic model established agree well with the experimental data with the error less than 10%. The preconditions causing disturbance of SADS are that the rotation acceleration and modal vibration acceleration are not equal to zero at the same time. The subdivision drive of the controller, nonlinear magnetic field of the stepper motor and time varying meshing parameters of the gear are the main interior disturbing factors. The disturbance torque generally varies periodically. The disturbance component concentrates in the vicinity of the excitation frequency and its multiplication frequency. The disturbance amplitude increases with the raise of the subdivision stepping distance, amplitude of variation of meshing parameters and amplitude of fluctuation of the cogging and high order electromagnetic torque.

Key words: Solar array, Drive assembly, Disturbing factor; Disturbance mechanism