Efficiency chain evolution and decomposition of microwave power transmission

The space solar power station (SSPS) often comprise a space solar satellite (SPS) and an energy beam power station. The microwave power transmission (MPT) system is regarded as the core segment of the SSPS and links the space and the ground segments. The MPT efficiency, along with the power production of the space photovoltaic cell array, determines the power production of the SSPS. Almost since the concept of the MPT was proposed, the efficiency chain has been studied. This paper reviewed most typical MPT efficiency chains such as the three-factored, the five-factored, the seven-factored, the ten-factored, and the fifteen-factored chains, subsequently. Based on a five-factored chain, a 27-factored efficiency chain was proposed by meticulous decomposition in this paper for large-scale MPT system in SSPS applications. Then the proposed chain was employed to analyze the MPT systems of the MW SSPS and GW SSPS, the low case and the high stated for the former. Development suggestions from the MW SSPS to the GW SSPS were presented and the MPT efficiency of higher than 55% was forecast for the latter.