Undersea defense systems can be fitted to submarines, surface ships, helicopters, aircraft and unmanned naval systems to protect operational armed forces from underwater attack. A leading prime contractor and integrator of sonar, acoustic and communications systems needed more power for the RF amplifiers in its latest naval sonar system as it evolves to deal with ever-changing threats. Artesyn’s new iHP series configurable precision high power AC-DC system is ideal to provide the 400 Vdc at 112 amps needed by this customer.  It provides high accuracy, resolution and stability as either a voltage or current source with up to 24 kW in 3kW increments and can be configured for up to 8 outputs using a wide variety of plug-in modules that address a large range of voltages and currents.

5^th generation mobile networks, abbreviated 5G, are the proposed next communication standards beyond the 4G networks still being deployed around the world today. In addition to higher speed connections, 5G standards aim to provide more capacity than current 4G, allowing a higher number of mobile broadband users and devices per area unit, and making subscribers’ higher data consumption more cost-effective for network operators. 5G also aims to lower the cost and latency (for lower battery consumption) of device-to-device communication, for better implementation of the internet of things (IoT). Two leading network equipment manufacturers are testing 5G remote radio head (RRH) implementations using Artesyn’s 700 watt ADH700 half-brick 28 volt output DC-DC converter module, which is optimized for RF power amplifier applications. The ADH700 series is suited to the standard 48 volt telecom input requirement and a base plate option enables the modules to be conduction or contact-cooled.

The ADH700 is now available in a 50 volt output variant, allowing customers to retain their design as they move to Gallium Nitride (GaN) RF power devices for greater power density, higher efficiency and many other benefits. Many new projects follow this evolutionary approach, leveraging 4.5G to 5G designs for both the development of technology demonstration systems and for production systems. Artesyn’s range of high performance telecom and RF power amplifier bricks, available with different voltage variants, enable engineers to move easily from one design to the next with minimal changes required to the power-delivery solution and, as the power modules follow an industry-standard format, the system mechanics can remain exactly the same.

A customer required a power supply for an excitation voltage generator for use in wind turbines. Supplying the solution was a breeze for Artesyn as its iVS8H series offers  a high voltage, configurable power system with microprocessor-controlled PFC front end which accepts intelligent DC-DC converter modules. The customer required a single high voltage output and the versatile nature of the series meant they could use three single output modules in parallel to obtain 14kW total output. The customer was impressed with the extremely flexibility and versatility of this multi-output power solution.

LEDs are replacing most other technologies in a wide range of lighting applications. At the same time, farmers are recognizing the potential for using LED lighting to replace or supplement sunshine. LED lighting supplementing natural light in large greenhouses or ‘growing warehouses’ improves control over the nutrient balance and growth cycle of a wide range of plants. Artesyn is working with a manufacturer of agricultural LED lights that is using the LCC600 600-watt series conduction cooled AC-DC power supplies for their market-leading full-spectrum LED grow light. The company has been able to create an IP65 rated light for use in wet and humid conditions that saves over 40% on energy costs versus competing solutions and produces less heat than most of its competitors. 

There is increasing interest in indoor farms, where shipping containers or similar structures are used to house shelves of plants, with lighting and nutrients supplied and carefully controlled to manage the growth of the crop. Advocates of this type of agriculture argue that this method of growing crops can be done closer to consumers (reducing food miles), without pesticides or other chemicals thanks to the contained environment, and using less water than conventional outdoor agriculture. One pioneering creator of indoor farming solutions has adopted the iHP series configurable digital high power system to provide the DC power for their custom-engineered horticultural LED lights. These provide specific photon wavelengths and intensity, enabling the customer to create customized “light recipes” for each crop. The iHP series provides up to 24 kW in 3 kW increments and can be configured for up to 8 outputs using a wide variety of plug-in modules that address a large range of voltages and currents. It provides the user with analog and digital control as either a programmable voltage or current source. Using up to 99% less water, no pesticides or herbicides, reducing food miles by up to 93%, and having unrivalled control over the crops means that indoor farming may be the future for many communities around the world and off the planet.