UAV Power Management FAQ

For larger UAV platforms, redundancy can be scaled by interconnecting multiple GCUs, PDUs, Power Combiners and independent energy sources. This makes it possible to create separate power paths for flight-critical systems and reduce single points of failure within the electrical architecture.

Single points of failure can be reduced by using independent power sources, separating flight-critical loads into redundant power paths and combining these paths with redundant distribution and source-combining components. Continuous monitoring also helps the flight-control system detect abnormal conditions and react before they affect critical equipment.

In a properly designed redundant architecture, a remaining independent power source can continue supplying flight-critical loads through the redundant power path. The exact behavior depends on the system architecture, available energy sources and how the PDU and Power Combiners are configured.

Flight-critical equipment should be supplied through redundant and protected power paths wherever required by the platform safety concept. Non-critical loads such as selected payloads can be assigned to switchable outputs so they can be disconnected through payload shedding when electrical power must be prioritized.

Yes. visionair products are modular and can be used independently or integrated into an existing electrical architecture. Integration depends on the platform voltage, current, power, generator, battery and communication-interface requirements, and configurations can be adapted to the specific application.

Depending on the product, active visionair devices provide CAN and/or RS232 interfaces for configuration, monitoring and communication with the UAV control system. Passive products such as Power Combiners do not require a communication interface.

Yes. The electrical architecture can be adapted to the platform power level, voltage bus, generator and battery configuration, number of required outputs, redundancy concept and monitoring requirements. Individual product configurations depend on the specific technical requirements of the UAV.

A Power Distribution Unit converts, distributes, switches, protects and monitors electrical power for onboard loads. A Power Combiner has a different role: it combines independent DC power sources into a common redundant output using ideal-diode technology while preventing unwanted reverse current between the sources.

Yes. Generator-based architectures can combine the Generator Control Unit with onboard batteries, Power Distribution Units and Power Combiners. This allows generated power, stored energy and redundant distribution paths to be integrated into one platform-specific electrical architecture.

Depending on the product, available data can include input and output voltages, currents, temperatures, generator-related sensor information and device or power-path status. Active products can provide this information through CAN and/or RS232 for flight-control, health-monitoring and diagnostic functions.

The GCU can be connected to a computer using the visionair configuration software. The software allows operating parameters to be configured and provides access to monitoring data, diagnostics and firmware updates.

No. The visionair architecture keeps power generation and energy storage on a higher-voltage DC bus between 36 and 60 VDC. The downstream PDU then converts this high-voltage bus into the required lower-voltage outputs, including up to 28 VDC.

The GCU supports Hall-sensor and temperature-sensor inputs for generator monitoring. Input and output voltages, currents, temperatures and additional operating data are available via CAN and RS232 for integration with the UAV control system.

Yes. The GCU provides a dedicated ground-power input that can supply the UAV during ground operation, system testing and pre-flight checks without relying on the onboard generator.

The GCU provides real-time information including input and output voltage, current, generator-related sensor data, temperature and system status. This information can be transmitted via CAN or RS232 to the flight-control or monitoring system.

The GCU is based on a modular hardware architecture and can be configured for different electrical requirements and output variants. Available configurations depend on the generator, voltage range and power requirements of the UAV. Please refer to the GCU output-variants document or contact us for a platform-specific configuration.

Yes. The GCU can supply a PDU directly. In many architectures, however, onboard batteries are connected in parallel between the GCU and PDU, allowing energy storage to support the power bus and provide an additional power source if required.

The Power Distribution Unit (PDU) converts and conditions the high-voltage DC supplied by the batteries and/or GCU into multiple programmable output voltages for onboard systems. It also provides power switching, monitoring, protection and redundant power paths for critical loads.

The PDU can be connected to a computer using the visionair configuration software. Output parameters can be configured and system data can be monitored, while firmware and device settings can be updated as required.

Yes. Depending on the configuration, the PDU converts the high-voltage input bus into programmable low-voltage outputs of up to 28 VDC for avionics, actuators, payloads and other onboard equipment.

The PDU can accept up to three independent DC input sources, providing redundancy on the input side. Two of the three output channels use internally duplicated power-conversion paths. This allows the affected output to maintain full rated power if one internal conversion path fails, increasing availability for flight-critical equipment.

The PDU provides extensive electrical and system-status monitoring. It also supports controlled switching of power paths and payload shedding, allowing non-critical loads to be disconnected automatically or by command from the flight-control system when required. Battery inputs and selected outputs can also be switched on command.

Yes. The dedicated ground-power input allows the aircraft electrical system to be powered during maintenance, ground testing and pre-flight checks without using the onboard batteries or generator.

The PDU provides real-time electrical and system-status data for its power inputs and outputs. This information can be transmitted to the flight-control system and used for health monitoring, fault detection and automated safety functions.

Yes. Onboard equipment can be connected directly to the PDU outputs, which are protected against short circuits. For additional system-level protection, visionair recommends individual fusing of connected devices to prevent a fault in one load from affecting other equipment supplied by the same output.

The Power Distribution Unit (PDU) converts and conditions the high-voltage DC supplied by the batteries and/or GCU into multiple programmable output voltages for onboard systems. It also provides power switching, monitoring, protection and redundant power paths for critical loads.

The PDU can be connected to a computer using the visionair configuration software. Output parameters can be configured and system data can be monitored, while firmware and device settings can be updated as required.

Yes. Depending on the configuration, the PDU converts the high-voltage input bus into programmable low-voltage outputs of up to 28 VDC for avionics, actuators, payloads and other onboard equipment.

The PDU can accept up to three independent DC input sources, providing redundancy on the input side. Four of the six output channels use internally duplicated power-conversion paths. This allows the affected output to maintain full rated power if one internal conversion path fails, increasing availability for flight-critical equipment.

The PDU provides extensive electrical and system-status monitoring. It also supports controlled switching of power paths and payload shedding, allowing non-critical loads to be disconnected automatically or by command from the flight-control system when required. Battery inputs and selected outputs can also be switched on command.

Yes. The dedicated ground-power input allows the aircraft electrical system to be powered during maintenance, ground testing and pre-flight checks without using the onboard batteries or generator.

The PDU provides real-time electrical and system-status data for its power inputs and outputs. This information can be transmitted to the flight-control system and used for health monitoring, fault detection and automated safety functions.

Yes. Onboard equipment can be connected directly to the PDU outputs, which are protected against short circuits. For additional system-level protection, visionair recommends individual fusing of connected devices to prevent a fault in one load from affecting other equipment supplied by the same output.

The UAV Engine Starter (UES) controls the electric starter motor used to crank and start the UAV engine remotely. Its operating parameters can be adapted to the specific engine and starter/generator combination.

The UES is configured using the visionair configuration software. Parameters can be adapted to the engine and starter/generator, while operating data can be monitored and firmware updates can be applied through the same interface.

Unlike a standard sensorless BLDC controller, the UES is designed specifically for UAV engine-starting applications. It supports Hall-sensor and temperature-sensor inputs and provides configurable starting parameters and monitoring functions for the starter/generator system.

The UES can be adapted to the specific characteristics of the engine and starter/generator. Configurable parameters include the number of motor poles, cranking speed, acceleration profile and other engine-start parameters.

The UES communicates with the GCU during the engine-start sequence. While the starter/generator is being used to crank the engine, the UES commands the GCU to suspend rectification. Once the start sequence is complete, the generator can transition back to power-generation operation.

The 1500 W Power Combiner uses ideal-diode technology to combine two independent DC power sources into a single redundant output while preventing unwanted reverse current between the sources.

No. The Power Combiner operates autonomously and does not require software configuration or communication. Although active semiconductor technology is used internally to achieve efficient ideal-diode functionality, the unit behaves as a passive power-management component from the system perspective.

The Power Combiner can merge two independent power sources into one common supply path. Multiple units can therefore be used to build larger redundant electrical architectures and isolate independent energy sources while maintaining continuous power availability.

The 5000 W Power Combiner uses ideal-diode technology to combine two independent DC power sources into a single redundant output while preventing unwanted reverse current between the sources.

No. The Power Combiner operates autonomously and does not require software configuration or communication. Although active semiconductor technology is used internally to achieve efficient ideal-diode functionality, the unit behaves as a passive power-management component from the system perspective.

The Power Combiner can merge two independent power sources into one common supply path. Multiple units can therefore be used to build larger redundant electrical architectures and isolate independent energy sources while maintaining continuous power availability.

The 60 W Redundant Power Supply converts two independent high-voltage inputs of up to 60 VDC into a single regulated low-voltage output. The dual-input architecture allows it to provide a redundant low-power supply for flight-critical or auxiliary equipment.

The 60 W Power Supply does not require software configuration and does not provide telemetry. The output voltage can be selected locally between 6, 12 and 16 VDC using a rotary switch.