UAS Augmented with Integrated Solar Array Wings for Extended Flight Endurance

MicroLink's lightweight and flexible solar arrays have been integrated onto multiple UAS platforms to extend flight endurance and enhance mission capabilities.

Description

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Products & Services

Space Solar Power Modules (SPM)

MicroLink Devices

MicroLink has developed a space SPM using its triple junction solar cell with epitaxial lift-off (ELO) technology. The Quartex(TM) 37 cm2 solar cell geometry is used for high semiconductor wafer utilization. The Quartex cells are intermeshed in a string format for high packing fraction within the module. Different 2xN module configurations are possible. Bypass diodes are integrated with each solar cell, and Ag-Kovar interconnects with in-plane strain relief are used. Finally, a coverglass-free prismatic silicone is used to encapsulate the complete module.

People

Ray Chan

MicroLink Devices

Vice President

Description

Pictured is an AeroVironment Puma UAS platform. MicroLink has developed a lightweight and flexible solar sheet technology that can generate power from a solar cell that is foil-like in nature. With the solar sheet arrays, power can be generated while the platform is in flight with minimal additional mass. MicroLink has demonstrated a doubling of endurance for small battery powered UAS that have been augmented with MicroLink's solar sheet technology.