US-based Alta Devices has partnered with the UK’s PowerOasis to develop a reference design for integrated solar and lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery power systems for small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The collaboration will see the combination of Alta Devices’ solar technology with PowerOasis’ expertise in hybrid power systems.
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The proposed design is expected to help small UAV developers to exclusively focus on aircraft design and performance.
Featuring high-efficiency, lightweight capabilities, the new design will be developed to cater to the 6.5ft to13ft span UAVs, using 5s-7s Li-ion batteries.
Planned to be released later this year, the design will also feature modular power systems.
Management of the battery packs will be carried out using a cell vendor agnostic, flexible battery management system (BMS).
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By GlobalDataIt will also include communication to ground control and onboard auto pilot capability, with the provision of receiving continuous real-time power and energy data.
Conditioned power outputs for critical power and payload systems will also be included.
Alta Devices chief marketing officer Rich Kapusta said: “In the past, a UAV manufacturer had to work with multiple companies to obtain the solar technology, downstream electronics, and power management software to create a solar/Li-ion hybrid powered system. Then, they had to design the system themselves.
“By working together and providing a complete architecture for a well-crafted power system, PowerOasis and Alta Devices are streamlining the UAV development process.
“We are providing a complete system for electric aircraft and UAVs, eliminating the distraction and time required to focus on the intricacies of power design.”
Unlike typical battery-powered UAVs, the solar-powered UAVs can fly all day and efficiently be used in infrastructure inspection over long distances, long-range search-and-rescue operations, as well as other missions.
Image: Fly all day with Alta Devices and PowerOasis. Photo: courtesy of Alta Devices.
