Princeton Power Systems and Science Applications International Corporation Develop Power Supply for Air Force Active Denial System; Patented AC-Link Technology Overcomes Size and Weight Restrictions

Business Wire, Dec 7, 2004

PRINCETON, N.J. -- Princeton Power Systems, a developer of AC-link(TM) technology for advanced electrical power conversion and conditioning, has teamed with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to develop a high-voltage, dynamic power source for the United States Air Force's Active Denial System (ADS). The power supply will be designed using the patented AC-link Technology, and will use a Lithium Ion battery bank to supply dynamic direct current (DC) power to the energy transmitter.

"The AC-link technology has been one of the critical underpinnings for this project," noted Bill Siegel, Division Manager, Electric Power Technologies Division, Science Applications International Corporation. "In addition, Princeton Power Systems' expertise, enthusiasm and passion for service have been invaluable assets."

The power supply will be integrated and packaged with all the Active Denial System's components into a High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle, commonly referred to as a Humvee. R&D activities are being conducted under an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration program, which is the process used by the Department of Defense to rapidly move mature technologies into the hands of the warfighter for military evaluation.

"To mount the system on a Humvee, the size and weight of the power supply are critical," noted Darren Hammell, president and CEO of Princeton Power Systems. "AC-link enables the SAIC team to incorporate a small, lightweight, high-frequency internal transformer that will provide the required voltage conditioning and ensure the smallest possible footprint. In addition, AC-link's inherent efficiencies place less strain on the cooling system and offer flexible design options."

Once the Active Denial System has gone through the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration program, several agencies will likely be interested in how the system can benefit their forces. The system is being studied for deployment overseas against enemy combatants, and also domestically for crowd control purposes. Non-lethal weapons like the ADS can provide means for achieving security and safety objectives with minimal adverse affects to humans and the environment.

Active Denial System

The Active Denial System (ADS) is a non-lethal, counter-personnel directed energy weapon. It uses breakthrough technologies to provide unprecedented, standoff, non-lethal capabilities at ranges beyond effective small arms range. ADS projects a focused, speed-of-light millimeter-wave energy beam to induce an intolerable heating sensation on an adversary's skin and cause that individual to be repelled without injury. ADS will enable U.S. forces to stop, deter and turn back an advancing adversary without applying lethal force. This capability is expected to save countless lives by providing a means to stop individuals without causing injury, before a deadly confrontation develops.

Under the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration, the Air Force Research Laboratory expects to produce a Humvee-mounted prototype and provide it to operational forces from all the services in late 2004. The ADS Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration program is being sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Advanced Systems and Concepts, the Department of Defense Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate and U.S. Joint Forces Command.

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)

SAIC is the largest employee-owned research and engineering company in the United States, providing information technology, systems integration and eSolutions to commercial and government customers. SAIC engineers and scientists work to solve complex technical problems in national and homeland security, energy, the environment, space, telecommunications, health care and logistics. More information about SAIC can be found at www.saic.com.

Princeton Power Systems

Princeton Power Systems is developing advanced power conversion technologies, including AC-link(TM), a patented control method that provides a more reliable and cost-effective means for converting electric power cleanly and efficiently. This technology can be used in the industrial motor control, renewable electricity and distributed power generation markets, and will reduce industrial energy consumption, lower peak electric usage, and provide clean, renewable energy sources at a much lower cost than existing power conversion technologies.

Princeton Power's core products include motor controllers, wind turbine converters, and grid-tied inverters. AC-link uses simpler, more reliable components and incorporates advanced algorithms for controlling various aspects of the electric power, which allows the use of less complex, less expensive hardware to achieve precision power control. This makes AC-link devices rugged, reliable and cost-effective, and yields high-quality power waveforms.