The reliability of mobile satellite broadband connectivity will be improved significantly using a Factorized Power Architecture from Vicor to deliver extremely high current at low voltage, ensuring robust mobile communications.
Phasor, a major developer of enterprise-grade electronically-steered antenna (ESA) systems for satellite-based mobile broadband applications, has worked with Vicor to develop a power solution for its new system that provides connectivity speeds and bandwidth previously unachievable while on the move. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, US, Vicor Corporation designs, develops, manufactures and markets modular power components and complete power systems based upon a portfolio of patented technologies.
While the technology represents a breakthrough in delivering reliable satellite connectivity in aeronautical, maritime, land mobile and defence applications, it will also enable the end-user travelling on any mode of transportation to enjoy true mobile broadband connectivity, and all the applications that this will enable.
Phasors modular, flat or conformal, solid-state electronically steered antenna systems are less than 1.5 inches thick, presenting an extremely low profile, and matching the performance of traditional parabolic dish antennas from 40 cm to 1 m or larger. Using low-profile components operating at high power density, Phasors mobile communications systems rely on Vicors FPA to provide extremely high current at very low voltage.
Commenting on the development, Mike Warren, Senior Vice President, Operations at Phasor, said: Vicor is a valued partner in supporting the technical innovation helping to differentiate Phasors products. The FPA technology plays an integral role in our ESAs and we look forward to continuing our work with Vicor as we start to roll out our products commercially.
Vicors FPA package consists of a Pre-Regulator Module (PRM) and a Voltage Transformation Module (VTM)/Current Multiplier which together deliver the full, regulated, isolated DC-DC converter function. The Voltage Transformation Module (VTM) is a resonant converter and therefore also has very low noise when compared to a hard switched converter.
Vital to realising performance targets in small and large aperture Phasor ESAs is the ability of Vicors systems to transform a 48V supply into a 1.5V supply (1V in the next generation of antenna with even higher current).
Phasors desire to make this transformation at 65A (or even 80A) represented a major design challenge for powering their application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Offering far superior power delivery and efficiency than traditional DC/DC converters, Vicors approach to transforming voltage eliminates the need for multiple hard-switching converters with several different phases to attain 65A.
