Case study: EO/IR Airborne thermal imaging

Upgrading thermography systems without taking up extra space and weight

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Customer’s challenge

Airborne thermography systems are constantly evolving to offer greater value by integrating new functionalities and enhancing critical performance parameters: resolution, range, sensitivity, and accuracy. This involves incorporating new components like LEDs, sensors, and motors, but implementation without increasing the system’s weight or size is challenging. It requires a power solution capable of supporting higher power demands and complexity while mitigating any potential size or weight increases. The key challenges were:

Implement new functionalities without adversely affecting overall size and weight
Minimize noise interference to improve video systems
Ensure reliable solution for operations in harsh environments

The Vicor solution

Vicor MIL-COTS DC-DC converters offer exceptional efficiency across all load ranges, reducing heat generation and optimizing power consumption. Their low-profile design provides superior power density, allowing for maximum flexibility when integrating new features in space-constrained airborne systems. Low-noise power modules ensure signal integrity and reliable operation with minimal electromagnetic interference, which is crucial for sensitive video processing systems. The key benefits were:

主な利点

High reliability of rugged power modules maximizes run time

Power density optimizes space and weight on the vehicle

Low EMI reduces interference and improves thermal imaging

電力供給ネットワーク

From a MIL-STD-704 source, two rugged MIL-COTS DCM™ DC-DC converters in an array provide a high power 48V rail for the positioning motors, allowing reliable operation in the harsh environments faced by helicopter-borne systems. An additional DCM™ provides a low noise 5V supply for the video processing system. MFM DCM™ filters are DC front-end modules used in conjunction with DCMs and provide EMI filtering and transient protection to meet MIL standards.