Using Vicor BCMs such as the BCM4414, a power solution can be created that enables optimized system performance. The BCM4414 provides 1.8kW of power for either step-up or step-down conversion at 97%+ efficiency. At the ground station, the BCM4414 isolates and steps-down the rectified output from a single or 3-phase AC supply to 48V. A second BCM4414 steps-up the 48V to 800V for transmission across the tether. A third BCM4414 is used to step-down the 800V to 48V onboard the vehicle. The use of the BCM4414 allows the power system designer to dramatically reduce the size and weight of both the ground supply and UAV, as well as to dramatically reduce the diameter and weight of the tether itself. The end result is a much more flexible and capable system that can be easily transported to the operating location.

Downstream of the BCM4414, ZVS Buck regulators offer board-level designers maximum power density and flexibility for high-efficiency point-of-load DC-DC regulation. The integration of a high-performance zero-voltage switching (ZVS) topology increases point-of-load performance, providing best-in-class power efficiency up to 98%. ZVS regulators are highly integrated with control circuitry, power semiconductors and support components in a high-density LGA System-in-Package (SiP).