A system and method for protecting an electronics module on a spacecraft in space are described. The system includes a non-radiation hardened electronics module electrically connected to a power supply, with a switch connected between the power supply and the electronics module. The switch can disconnect the electronics module from the power supply in response to an event signal. A sensor which is capable of detecting a solar proton event is connected to the switch. The sensor emits the event signal upon detection of the solar proton event.

In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a temperature measurement circuit configured to produce a first signal indicating a first operating temperature of a first semiconductor device and a temperature comparison circuit operationally coupled with the temperature measurement circuit. The temperature comparison circuit can be configured to compare the first signal with a second signal indicating a second operating temperature of at least a second semiconductor device and produce a comparison signal indicating whether the indicated first operating temperature is higher, lower or equal to the indicated second operating temperature. The apparatus can also include an adjustment circuit configured to adjust operation of the first semiconductor device based on the comparison signal.

An on/off switching circuit includes an on/off switch switchable between an on state and an off state, an light emitting diode (LED) driver to power one or more LEDs to illuminate an area of interest, a switch control unit to transition the on/off switch between the on and off states, the switch control unit including a light sensing circuit comprising at least one LED of the LEDs as a light sensor, and a bi-directional gate circuit. When the on/off switch is in the off state the bi-directional gate is in a first conducting state in which the bi-directional gate circuit connects the light sensor to the light sensing circuit, and when the on/off switch is in the on state the bi-directional gate is in a second conducting state in which the bi-directional gate connects the LED driver to the one or more LEDs including the light sensor.

An on/off switching circuit includes an on/off switch switchable between an on state and an off state, an light emitting diode (LED) driver to power one or more LEDs to illuminate an area of interest, a switch control unit to transition the on/off switch between the on and off states, the switch control unit including a light sensing circuit comprising at least one LED of the LEDs as a light sensor, and a bi-directional gate circuit. When the on/off switch is in the off state the bi-directional gate is in a first conducting state in which the bi-directional gate circuit connects the light sensor to the light sensing circuit, and when the on/off switch is in the on state the bi-directional gate is in a second conducting state in which the bi-directional gate connects the LED driver to the one or more LEDs including the light sensor.

Shade mitigation systems and devices to mitigate adverse effects of shade on a primary photovoltaic cell powering a load via an output terminal. The shade mitigation devices include a relay switch and a secondary photovoltaic cell. The relay switch selectively completes a circuit between the primary photovoltaic cell and the load when energized. The secondary photovoltaic cell is electrically coupled to the relay switch and is mounted in a position to monitor illumination on the primary photovoltaic cell. The secondary photovoltaic cell energizes the relay switch to selectively complete the circuit between the primary photovoltaic cell and the load when the secondary photovoltaic cell is illuminated by at least a threshold illumination. The secondary photovoltaic cell stops energizing the relay switch to selectively open the circuit between the primary photovoltaic cell and the load when the secondary photovoltaic cell is shaded sufficiently to illuminate it below the threshold illumination.

A system controls high power devices according to ambient light levels. The system includes a latching relay, a latching relay driver, an ambient light sensor and a relay bulk power supply. The latching relay switches power on and off to the high power devices, and the latching relay driver energizes the latching relay, using power from on-periods when the latching relay is closed. The ambient light sensor controls when the latching relay driver energizes the latching relay, and the relay bulk power supply stores power from the on-periods to be used to energize the latching relay during off-periods when the latching relay is open.

A system controls high power devices according to ambient light levels. The system includes a latching relay, a latching relay driver, an ambient light sensor and a relay bulk power supply. The latching relay switches power on and off to the high power devices, and the latching relay driver energizes the latching relay, using power from on-periods when the latching relay is closed. The ambient light sensor controls when the latching relay driver energizes the latching relay, and the relay bulk power supply stores power from the on-periods to be used to energize the latching relay during off-periods when the latching relay is open.

A powered vanity system with a power outlet positioned on the bottom of a drawer box adjacent a face plate with a pressure switch the prevents the flow of electricity to the power outlet when the drawer box is in a closed position and allows the flow of electricity to the power outlet when the drawer box is in an open position. A cable manager controls the power cord as the drawer box moves between open and closed positions. The drawer box is easily removable from the cabinet carcass and provides for a novel convenience lighting system.

A switching device has a cover including: a hollow content area housing a plurality of connectors; one or more openings designed to allow passage of one or more conductors; and one or more reflective agents mounted on the cover such that changing a physical location of an entirety of the cover with respect to an enclosure of an electronic device changes a location of the one or more reflective agents. A sensor is configured to sense the one or more reflective agents and output an electrical signal depending on the location of the sensed one or more reflective agents mounted on the cover. The sensor is positioned outside of the hollow content area of the cover. A controller is configured to change a state of the electronic device according to the output electrical signal of the sensor. The cover is mounted on an exterior surface of the enclosure.

Shade mitigation systems and devices to mitigate adverse effects of shade on a primary photovoltaic cell powering a load via an output terminal. The shade mitigation devices include a relay switch and a secondary photovoltaic cell. The relay switch selectively completes a circuit between the primary photovoltaic cell and the load when energized. The secondary photovoltaic cell is electrically coupled to the relay switch and is mounted in a position to monitor illumination on the primary photovoltaic cell. The secondary photovoltaic cell energizes the relay switch to selectively complete the circuit between the primary photovoltaic cell and the load when the secondary photovoltaic cell is illuminated by at least a threshold illumination. The secondary photovoltaic cell stops energizing the relay switch to selectively open the circuit between the primary photovoltaic cell and the load when the secondary photovoltaic cell is shaded sufficiently to illuminate it below the threshold illumination.