ケーススタディ: Satellite communications antenna

Delivering high current at very low voltage

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お客様の課題

Satellite communication usually requires a large dish antenna. In addition, for moving vehicles, planes and boats antenna-positioning motors and controllers are needed to ensure that the antenna accurately tracks the relative position of the satellite. Mounting these cumbersome assemblies in a position to maintain a clear visual satellite connection is often impractical. This customer was developing an electronically steered solid-state phased-array antenna with no positioning motors to significantly reduce the antenna profile. The key goals were:

The antenna’s processing signals required a well-regulated 1.5V 80A supply
Provide a small, robust and reliable low profile power solution
Accommodate future ASIC designs requiring lower core voltage and higher currents

Vicorソリューション

Factorized Power Architecture (FPA) separates the regulation and voltage transformation stages into separate components. The resultant design flexibility simplified the implementation and met the system requirements of small size and a low profile. Fast load response and high switching frequency eliminated many hold-up capacitors saving space.

主な利点

Performance maximized by fast response of FPA to ASIC’s pulsed current demands

Reduced footprint (11cm2) and ultra-low profile (<7mm)

Future ASICs with lower voltages (<1V) and higher currents (+100A) can use the same, scalable, small-footprint architecture

電力供給ネットワーク

The Vicor VTM (transformation) supplied the high current 1.5V rail and was placed close to the ASIC. The PRM (regulation) was sited at the PCB edge since its 48V output bus to the VTM carried only low currents and provided reduced bus distribution losses. This arrangement saved space and optimized voltage regulation at the ASIC. To analyze this power chain, go to Vicor Whiteboard online tool.

Learn more about the modular approach power.