DDC's new solid-state power controller designed for military ground vehicles

Posted by John McHaleFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., 25 Feb. 2011. A new solid-state power controller from Data Device Corp. (DDC) for military ground vehicles was showcased at the AUSA Winter Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The device -- RP-26200 -- is the third generation of the product and offers enhancements such as higher power output, low power dissipation, and extended operating temperature. The device has 16 channels that replace 16 different circuit breakers, resulting in an 85 percent weight reduction, says Amir Massumi, marketing director at DDC.The 26200 enables upgrades of existing systems through a modular approach that uses energy more efficiently to save costs in vehicles, says Christopher stabile, marketing communications manager at DDC.DDC's RP-26200 provides solid-state protection and control for sixteen independent 28Vdc channels, with a total power output of more than 8 kilowatts. Programmable trip points, channel paralleling, and power-on defaults support maximum power distribution system flexibility. The RP-26200's embedded controller and network interface enable real-time load monitoring, which can be used for efficient load management and preventative maintenance. It protects wiring from overloading by automatically shutting off power if too much current is being drawn, Massumi says.The RP-26200 is based upon technology used in more than 500,000 nodes installed since 1988 on vehicles including the M1A2 Abrams tank and the Bradley fighting vehicle, and recently on upcoming unmanned ground vehicles and tactical wheeled vehicles.