Tethered Aerial and Underwater Vehicle Power Solutions

This case study details the power delivery network (PDN) solutions for tethered unmanned vehicles, specifically focusing on aerial and underwater applications. The document outlines the challenges faced in optimizing power delivery through a tether, which operates at high voltages between 500V and 800V, allowing for extended tether lengths and reduced cabling weight. The key objectives include enhancing power delivery efficiency, ensuring high reliability through rugged power supplies, and converting high voltage to safe 48V SELV. The use of Vicor fixed ratio converters, such as BCM® modules, is highlighted for their efficiency in down-converting high voltage to SELV while minimizing payload space usage. The case study emphasizes the benefits of a modular design that supports flexible requirements and the significant reduction in tether size, weight, and drag, ultimately leading to improved mission capabilities and transportability of the system.