Quantic – Optimizing Power Hold-Up for Aerospace Systems: A Guide to Compliance and Efficiency (10/2024)

MIL-STD-704 and DO-160 establish crucial power hold-up requirements for airborne systems, ensuring the reliable performance of aircraft electronics during power interruptions. For engineers and system designers, meeting these standards while optimizing for Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) constraints is essential.

Key Highlights:

  1. Understanding Power Hold-Up Requirements: Both MIL-STD-704 and DO-160 set stringent guidelines for power hold-up duration and performance in airborne systems. Adhering to these standards is necessary to ensure that essential electronics continue to function in case of power interruptions, contributing to overall aircraft safety and system integrity.
  2. Calculating Optimal Capacitance: Determining the correct capacitance for aerospace systems is a critical step in achieving compliance with power hold-up requirements. This whitepaper offers a detailed methodology to help designers calculate the necessary capacitance based on system power loads, hold-up duration, and voltage levels.
  3. SWaP-Efficient Capacitor Selection: Choosing the right capacitors is not only about meeting regulatory standards but also about optimizing for SWaP efficiency. The guide covers the selection of aerospace-grade capacitors that meet performance demands while minimizing size and weight, a key factor in modern aerospace systems where space and weight constraints are critical.

Enhancing System Reliability:

By optimizing capacitance and selecting the right components, designers can ensure that aerospace systems maintain operational integrity during power disruptions. This approach not only supports regulatory compliance but also enhances the overall reliability and performance of airborne systems.

For aerospace engineers and system designers looking to meet MIL-STD-704 and DO-160 requirements while optimizing SWaP performance, this whitepaper provides the necessary insights and tools. Download the whitepaper to learn more about how to calculate optimal capacitance and select the best aerospace-grade capacitors for specific applications.