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FeAture T


power


reated as expendable assets, like ammunition, single-use drones are being increasingly used by the U.S. military.


Each drone, however, must balance: • Power output – Speed energy can be delivered • Capacity – How much energy the battery holds • Weight – A higher capacity facilitates longer missions but adds weight, which can compromise flight performance or payload allowance. Batteries that deliver high current, however, may be bulkier or have lower energy density.


battery cells Ultralife recently tested its U10026 D-size non- rechargeable cell to prove its suitability for single- use drones. The tests proved that the cell could deliver up to 20 amps continuously with proper thermal management, a major improvement from previous expectations of three amps. Even at 10 to 15 amps continuous, these cells performed well under air-cooled conditions. This unlocks new possibilities for applications that demand uncompromising energy performance. Non-rechargeables like the U10026 can carry


significantly more capacity than similarly sized rechargeables, enabling them to support heavier loads or extend range, even in compact airframes.


power solutions In multi-mission, non-expendable drones, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have mostly replaced lead-acid, resulting in high cycle life and a moderate continuous output. This ensures reliable power in drones that carry out activities such as surveillance, mapping and routine site inspections. The Pentagon, however, wants to make it easier for manufacturers to produce


powering drone


development Bruce Parkinson, applications engineering and inside sales manager at ultralife


Corporation, examines the power solutions available to military drone manufacturers


single-use drones on a larger scale. This means it is important to think about the power solutions behind this technology and how to balance weight, power output and capacity. Selecting the right battery manufacturer can


make a huge difference. Ultralife Corporation has 30 years of experience in manufacturing non- rechargeable cells, with over 100 million sold, and its batteries are designed to perform to the highest standards of performance and reliability


1,280mA knx bus power supplies


A new 1,280mA version has been added to Phoenix Contact’s KNX series of power supply units. Complementing the


proven 640mA model, the KNX bus power supplies are said to be a powerful and flexible standard for building automation. The KNX protocol


enables the seamless integration of various


devices for controlling lighting, heating, air conditioning, blinds, safety and security systems, energy management, and more, the company explains. The KNX Step Power supply ensures smooth bus communication. It features an


active KNX choke which adapts dynamically to the connected load of the KNX devices and increases the efficiency of the bus system up to KNX transmission of 1,900mA. The full capacity of up to 1,900mA is ensured here without causing magnetic saturation, which would otherwise affect communication. This features a colour display that provides all the relevant KNX status information at


a glance. This offers several advantages: The bus and AUX outputs can be analysed separately, which makes it easier to pinpoint the cause of a fault. In addition, the device stores information on overload behaviour over time, which can be viewed on the display. As soon as the KNX system has been reset, the runtime – but not the total device runtime – is reset to zero, allowing the exact time of a malfunction to be determined. The wide range input with both AC and DC allows for worldwide use and


compensates for mains fluctuations. KNX transmission is therefore unaffected. phoenix Contact


3 desiGn solutions september 2026 4 www.phoenixcontact.com/en-gb/ www.designsolutionsmag.co.uk


in applications such as single-use drones. Over the last 20 years, it has manufactured


batteries for the global government and defence sector, stemming from the introduction of the popular XX90 batteries to the company’s participation in the Land Warrior soldier modernisation program.


ultralife Corporation www.ultralifecorporation.com


pdu delivers essential power


New from Panduit, the ES2P Power Distribution Unit is a managed rack PDU designed to deliver essential power intelligence for today’s compute environments. Built for data centres, edge deployments, enterprise


closets and technology refresh projects, ES2P is said to helps organisations modernise rack power distribution without adding unnecessary complexity, cost or operational overhead. The ES2P PDU provides the power visibility and control


needed to support critical systems, improve energy utilisation and maintain uptime. ES2P is designed around the essentials in real-world


compute environments. Gigabit Ethernet connectivity supports fast communication with modern data centre and other networks, while daisy chaining for up to 16 units helps simplify IP address management and reduce networking costs as rack deployments expand. The unit is rated for performance in ambient temperatures


up to 55˚C, and security is built in to help protect critical power infrastructure. The PDU supports secure protocols including SNMPv3, TLS, HTTPS and SSH, and includes role-based access controls and encrypted firmware updates. The platform also aligns with industry security scans, supporting organisations that need to deploy intelligent power infrastructure within controlled, security conscious environments. ES2P can be managed remotely through Panduit tools and


third-party DCIM platforms via SNMP, with compatibility for SiteCommand and Cisco Nexus Dashboard environments.


panduit www.panduit.com


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