Safety and reliability are paramount for next-generation trucking

Truck transport, which is essential to the world's economic activities, is under threat. This is because there is a shortage of drivers responsible for long-distance driving.

Driving long distances over weeks puts a lot of strain on drivers, increases risk and pushes the limits of safety.

The average age of a truck driver in the United States is 48, but this age is getting older.

The introduction of autonomous driving technology is poised to revolutionize the industry as long-distance trucking is forced to transform.

Powering the “eyes” of mission-critical trucks

Power Delivery Network (PDN)

Vicor's power modules can form high power density, high performance power distribution networks that are ideal for autonomous driving.

The power system incorporates several Vicor power modules to create 12V, 24V and 48V bus voltages to power the sensors.

Using Vicor's BCM6123 and PRM regulators, VTM current multipliers, all power modules are highly reliable, highly efficient and come in extremely small packages.

Vicor power modules BCM6123, PRM, and VTM are used to create 12V, 24V, and 48V power delivery buses for each sensor.

Efficient power supplies are essential, but thermal efficiency is extremely important in autonomous driving systems.

Vicor addresses this with its own planar packaged power module. Exhaust heat from autonomous driving system is kept to a minimum.

With Vicor's design support, I was able to control the power supply for every component in the system.

All sensor voltages and currents can be monitored to maintain optimal component health.

The platform has four basic power buses that need to be connected to specific sensors, actuators and processors.

Each output is monitored via its own CAN bus and controlled individually.

Read "How to configure a power system with modules"