The need for ROVs to reduce maritime accidents is increasing
Video Ray, to improve the stability/mobility of ROVs
Adoption of Vicor's DCM, BCM, SAC, and PRM technologies


Port security and surveillance, mine countermeasures, underwater search and rescue, and marine ecological research are all dangerous missions. To reduce casualties and damage to vessels caused by these operations, the use of remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) is increasing.

ROVs that must remain for extended periods in inaccessible deep seas require the ability to secure space for mission execution, thrust to withstand changes in ocean currents, and stability to provide a stable visual field of view. To achieve this, a robust, high-density power distribution network (PDN) is required.

VideoRay’s Defender ROV is powered by a host platform, vessel, etc., and can operate 24/7 at depths up to 305m and 2000m in floating mode. In addition, it can maintain underwater operation for up to 8 hours.

Vicor announced on the 9th that it has collaborated with Videoray to design a system for the Defender ROV that reduces the need for bulky heat sinks and EMI filter systems, thereby reducing wasted board space and enabling efficient cooling.

Based on modular components, the Defender ROV, which is easily adjustable for specific applications, generates 400V _DC low-voltage power using 'Vicor DCM™ Series Converters' to power all main thrusters and control electronics inside the submerged equipment.

The DCM series DC-DC converter achieves high power density in a small footprint with integrated monitoring and auto-shutdown functions. The DCM series accommodates a wide input voltage range to allow for large voltage drops over longer tethers.

The 'Vicor BCM® Bus Converter' used in the VideoRay Pro 4 main controller converts the host vessel's rectified AC into 72V _DC and distributes it to the ROV via a tether. Additionally, it utilizes advanced heat sinks and active cooling for efficient thermal management.

BCM performs bidirectional fixed-ratio DC-DC conversion using the 'Vicor SAC™ (Sine Amplitude Converter) topology,' a resonant tank-based DC-DC converter architecture. With an input voltage range of 36 to 800 V and voltage conversion by various K factors, some BCMs feature integrated PMBus® telemetry, control, and EMI filtering.

In addition, it can reach a power density of up to 2,400 W/ ^in³ and a maximum efficiency of 98%, and by connecting the inputs in parallel to a high-power array and connecting the outputs in series or parallel, it can achieve much higher output voltage and current than a single module.

VideoRay's battery-powered ROVs utilize 'Vicor PRM™ buck-boost converters' with constant current and constant voltage control for battery management. Featuring a Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) architecture, the PRM buck-boost regulator accommodates a wide input voltage range and provides regulated and adjustable output voltages.