up valuable board real estate. The external current-limiting circuits must also be fast enough to catch an overcurrent event.


Figure 3: Vicor DCM4623 is power dense and has a safe current-limiting feature for counter-UAS platforms. Vicor DCM™ DC-DC converters are designed to handle large amounts of capacitance at their outputs and can operate within their maximum current rating and power rating even when driving capacitance values as large as 10 millifarads.


at start up, which can be shorted out once the external current limiting circuit is active (Figure 2). Pre-charging and current-limiting circuits can be complex and they take


This can be challenging because even a few switching cycles can cause an overcurrent event. Once the DC supply successfully powers up, the power system must be stable. With some DC-DC converters, the large capacitor can destabilize the voltage control loop, which can cause supply or system failure. This potential stability issue can be overcome with access to the control loop of the power system, but this requires complex and time-consuming engineering work.


DC-DC converter designed for highly capacitive counter-UAS loads is essential


The peripheral circuitry can become very complex if the power converter isn’t designed to handle a large capacitor at its output. Vicor DCM™ DC-DC converters, however, are


designed to handle large amounts of capacitance at their outputs and can operate within their maximum current rating and power rating even when driving capacitance values as large as 10 millifarads. Even larger capacitance can be handled if it is switched in during start up. The DCM has a safe current-limiting feature which means it can safely operate at the voltage set point of the module because the DCM can deliver more than its rated power for short durations (Figure 3).


At start up, the DCM will drive the capacitor up to voltage while staying within its specified operating area. Once the capacitor is charged, the control loop of the converter is designed to be stable during normal operation. If the application is designed for power averaging, the initial power burst into the downstream PoLs will be greater than the converter’s capability. The PoL input current will be delivered from the voltage source that has the largest potential. Due to the ESR of the capacitor, the converter’s output can have the larger potential and will deliver the initial surge of current until its output drops because of current limit. DCMs are designed to handle this surge current until its internal current limit takes over. Once the DCM’s voltage drops, the current demand will then be satisfied by the capacitor. The capacitor can be sized to deliver much more current than the DC converter module. Once the PoL or load current demand is over, the DC converter has to recharge the capacitor to its initial voltage so it can be ready for the next current demand (Figure 4).


Agility and reliability are cornerstones of top C-UAS platforms


The challenges of protecting borders from threats are perpetually evolving. However, the importance of speed and reliability in responding to threats will never change. Configuring a power delivery network that can respond under the most daunting conditions is essential and saves lives. Power supplies configured for power averaging enable fast response and reduce the size, weight and the cost of power systems. Reduced size and weight, of course, increase mobility and flexibility in the field which is always an added benefit. Deploying a power averaging approach, where the load is on for a short, periodic duration, is the optimal profile of reliable counter-UAS detection and response system.


The yellow trace (C1) shows the VOUT voltage of the DCM that feeds the downstream U2 loads. The red trace (C2) shows the averaged output current of the DCM. The scale of the red trace is 10mV/A. The green trace (C4) shows the pulsed load current.


Figure 4: The scope plot and block diagram of a power system designed for power averaging explains how the systems operates. In this example, the DC converter module has its output set to 50VDC converters are supplying a total 20A at 48VDC


and the converter module is rated for 320W of continuous power. The downstream PoL or 960W of load power. The load frequency is 1Hz and the duty cycle is 7 per cent so the load is


on for 70ms. When the PoLs begin to deliver power to the load, they draw energy from the 100 millifarads capacitor and the DCM™. The DCM will go into protective current limit and the capacitor will supply the bulk of the power with the DCM in current limit. After the load demand is complete, the DCM will recharge the capacitor to its initial voltage.


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The support circuitry can be minimized if the DC converter module is designed to operate safely within its current-limit and power limit maximums. Sizing the power system for the average power also helps eliminate the support circuitry and hardware needed for power systems sized for continuous peak-power delivery. This also helps the designer maintain the system space and weight constraints.


In the field, every detail matters – speed, agility, reliability, size and weight. When designing C-UAS platform, fighting for every kilogram and watt is the difference between a power system that fits within the application and one that does not.


www.vicorpower.com Components in Electronics September 2026 11


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