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Digital Electricity™ accelerates digital transformation for today’s Smart World

VoltServer uses standard data cables and endpoint transformation to efficiently deliver significant power safely across long distances

Global digital transformation is well underway, driven by artificial intelligence, a rapidly maturing 5G wireless network and Internet of Things (IoT) systems that deploy billions of intelligent edge sensors to send real-time data to the cloud. But have you ever stopped to wonder how we will power all of these devices and technologies?

VoltServer, Inc., an East Greenwich, R.I., manufacturer of power distribution products, is changing the future of energy delivery with its unique, patented Digital Electricity™ technology that safely transmits up to 2kW of power across long distances (up to 2km) using low-cost, off-the-shelf data cables.

The VoltServer Digital Electricity™ platform allows for controlled power distribution that is safe, less expensive, faster to install, more energy efficient, and meets the needs for an increasingly digital world.

To date, VoltServer has been deployed in hundreds of marquee venues including stadiums, airports, convention centers, office towers, hotels, condominiums, hospitals and indoor gardens, powering 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi wireless communications, LED lighting and IoT applications.

Harnessing power one pulse at a time

What exactly is Digital Electricity™? Digital Electricity is a line powering system, which is a means of energizing remote equipment from a centralized location over structured copper cable. It safely runs highvoltage power over lightweight data cable and delivers low current downstream to power loads. It’s a natively digital form of electricity transmission that can be considered a third power format in addition to the AC and DC formats that were first harnessed nearly 150 years ago.

How does it work? VoltServer takes conventional electricity and

breaks it into small pulses, or “energy packets.” Each packet is sent to a receiver from a transmitter that contains local, embedded processing. Each energy packet is analyzed using a digital signal processing engine to determine that power is being precisely and safely distributed. If a fault is detected, the next energy packet is not sent. Each packet contains only a very small amount of energy, so individually they are not harmful to people, animals, systems or buildings. The receiver converts Digital Electricity back into analog AC or DC to power local loads.

Each packet of electricity is sent to a receiver from a transmitter. Each packet contains only a very small amount of energy and is checked for safety. Each packet is not harmful to people, animals, systems, or buildings. The VoltServer products are listed and certified to safety and EMC standards by a Nationally Recognized Test Laboratory.

“Imagine a powerful stream of water sent through your plumbing. If a pipe were to burst, the high pressure could injure someone. Instead, break the stream down into millions of droplets,” explained VoltServer co-founder and CEO, Stephen Eaves. “The droplets can be put back together to get the amount of water needed, but each droplet of water is safe. Digital Electricity is similar by only putting a small amount of energy in packets. Each packet becomes safe, but the total power needs can still be met.”

Digital energy enables plug-and-play power sources

Because of its inherently safe energytransfer design, the VoltServer Digital Electricity™ platform can send power over a distance up to 2,000 meters using off-the-shelf structured copper communications cable and Class 2, low-voltage wiring methods. Similar to power-over-ethernet (PoE), this enables VoltServer to transport both digital data and power in a single hybrid cabling infrastructure, making it much easier and more economical to install than conventional 110/220 electrical systems.

This simplicity allows architects, designers and facility managers to quickly and easily configure and reconfigure wireless networks, office floorplans and agricultural grow rooms. And because the platform is natively digital, it provides unprecedented insights into energy use with a centralized dashboard. This gives building operators and maintenance staff a granular view of their electric grid to better manage critical loads while eliminating the need for traditional circuit breaker panels.

Power-efficient Vicor converters eliminate need for added cooling

Vicor Corporation has worked closely with VoltServer since they began product development. Vicor ruggedized, passively-cooled BCM® DC-DC fixed-ratio bus converters

are designed into the receivers transforming the higher transmission voltage to a safe low voltage to power the loads. The 97% power efficiency allows reliable cooling without a fan within a smaller enclosure. . They provide the power efficiency that allows the receivers to be placed in tight, enclosed spaces that are too small to accommodate cooling fans. This allows the VoltServer platform to operate more efficiently with much smaller heat sinks and significantly shrinks the receiver footprint.

“With the Vicor converter, we have 43% less heat loss than a normal converter, and the heat sink size decreases proportionately,” said Dan Lowe, VoltServer co-founder and Chief Business Officer. “Our customers include the top three mobile network operators in the U.S., so the requirements for reliability are extremely demanding. That’s where Vicor comes in really, really neatly.”

VoltServer Digital Electricity™ provides the most reliable and costeffective remote powering solutions for 4G LTE, 5G and Wi-Fi radios that are optimally located for coverage and capacity. The centralized digital architecture provides resiliency for always on communication networks.

VoltServer uses the Vicor compact BCM6123 fixed-ratio bus converter (0.99 x 2.402 x 0.286in) in the endpoint receivers to efficiently convert the power packets. Vicor BCMs use a proprietary, low-noise, high-efficiency Sine Amplitude Converter (SAC™) topology that requires little electromagnetic filtration. This further shrinks the power system footprint and simplifies the design while meeting EMI standards.

Vicor compact BCM6123 fixedratio bus converter (0.99 x 2.402 x 0.286in) is in the endpoint receiver to efficiently convert high voltage power to various loads. Vicor BCMs use a proprietary, low-noise, highefficiency Sine Amplitude Converter (SAC™) topology that requires little electromagnetic filtration.

“With so little electromagnetic filtering needed, we can make the Digital Electricity receiver very compact and mount it pretty much anywhere,” Lowe said. “Any other converter would generate more heat. That means that the receiver box would need to be much bigger and would require a lot more cooling – and ultimately would cost a lot more and be more difficult to install in space constrained locations.”

The patented VoltServer Digital Electricity™ platform distributes electricity in a safe, digital format. The technology is simple to deploy, lower-cost, resilient and proven in the large venues with the leading mobile network operators. VoltServer empowers organizations to pursue true digital transformation no matter the complexity or demands of their venue.

Learn more about Voltserver at www.vicorpower.com

SMART CITIES: IS YOUR CITY KEEPING UP?

Electrical installations in both industrial and consumer buildings need to meet the new challenges of our growing power needs. To increase the energy efficiency of buildings, while at the same time integrating consumers into the load compensation, will mean that controlling the switching of electrical devices on or off according to external signals, such as time and consumption, will be vital. www.new.abb.com/smartgrids/ smart-grid-technologies/smarthome-and-intelligent-buildings ASSA ABLoY is the global leader in door opening solutions, dedicated to satisfying end-user needs for security, safety and convenience. Since its formation in 1994, ASSA ABLoY has grown from a regional company into an international group with about 46,000 employees, operations in more than 70 countries and sales close to SEK 68 billion. The Group has a leading position in areas such as access control, identification technology, entrance automation and hotel security. www.assaabloy.co.uk/en/local/uk/

The Bosch Smart Home range includes both Single System products and System Solution products. Test the range of smart solutions to understand how these products are able to assist you in your daily lives; offering additional comfort, security for peace of mind and energy efficiency, saving you money within your home. Connectivity is more than just technology, it is now part of our every-day lives making life easier and allowing more time for the things that really matter! www.bosch-smarthome.com

Connected products is a growing area for Dyson building world-class cross functional Agile teams and adopting the latest technology and techniques delivering our ambitious vision in the connected space. In 2016 we launched our first two connected products now having a connected user base of hundreds of thousands in twenty countries. Culture of design and engineering excellence with an innovative start up mentality winning the 2016 T3 Connected product of the year. https://careers.dyson.com/

Energenie is part of Sandal Plc a public listed uK technology company, Sandal Plc is the brand and IP owner of the Mi|Home smart home system. The Mi|Home ecosystem can control heating, lighting and electrical appliances via both plug and play and retro fit actuators, including radiators valves, retrofit wall sockets and retro-fit light switches. The system also includes a range of sensors that are able to control the Mi|Home actuators allowing for a smarter experience. https://energenie4u.co.uk/ Designed to be offered as a service from the ground up. Enabling our channel partners – insurers, telcos and builders - to add value to their core business creating a more intimate relationship with their consumer and B2B customers. The Cozify platform offers complete flexibility in data gathering and utilization. If so chosen, none of the data leaves the Cozify Hub. Alternatively, with consent from end users, the data can be extracted and analysed to support business decision making. www.en.cozify.fi/pages/for-partners

Enado has over 15 years of experience in the installation and provision of home automation systems. our multiple award winning platform allows multiple, disparate manufacturer systems and devices in the home, integrated into one solution. Industry standard offering of lighting and energy to facilitate control of multiple consumer electronics devices including satellite receivers, smart tv’s, sky and other satellite boxes. www.enado.com

eQ-3 Group is one of the leading innovation and technology companies for home control and consumer electronics. eQ-3 provides the largest product portfolio in the industry and has placed more than 21 million wireless home control devices in almost one million households in the market. eQ-3 is the European market leader in smart home with regard to the installed base of whole home solutions and electronic radiator thermostats. www.HomeMatic.com

With subsidiaries and representative offices in 11 countries, FERMAX is placed among the most important brands in the world. At Fermax, we have been cultivating our passion for design, technology and innovation for the past 65 years. www.fermax.com

Paxton10 delivers out of the box access control, IP video management and building automation. It interfaces with existing building infrastructure to control lighting, heating, air conditioning, intruder and fire alarms. The system comprises a web-based user interface for easy building management and a selection of discreet hardware. www.paxton10.com

EcoStruxure™ With Innovation At Every Level, we are redefining power and automation for a new world of energy. We operate in over 100 countries with around 144,000 employees worldwide. www.schneider-electric.com

Trend is one of the world’s leading Building Energy Management Systems manufacturers, with a worldwide distribution and support network covering over 50 countries. Its fully integrated control solutions are able to meet the most complex requirements of modern buildings. www.trendcontrols.com A Fortune 100 company, Honeywell invents and manufactures technologies that address some of the world’s most critical challenges around energy, safety, security, productivity and global urbanization. Our connected portfolio of products, services and software spans multiple industries and is able to deliver end-to-end solutions that improve quality of life for people around the globe. www.honeywell.com

NorthQ is a Danish IoT manufacturer which specializes in developing home automation and energy management solutions. Company’s products serve as an innovative tool to track, control and optimize energy consumption. Our vision, A New Way of Living, entails responsibility for the environment and conscious decision-making regarding the energy we use on a daily basis. Our newest product, the Q-Reader is a universal meter reader providing real-time data from various electricity, gas, heat, and water meters. www.northq.com

Building technology with its integrated disciplines such as building automation, fire safety, security, lighting, and lowvoltage power distribution is often indispensable and forms the heart of a Total Building Solution from Siemens. www.buildingtechnologies. siemens.com

Artificial Intelligence for Smarter Homes. The Viva Smart Home Platform is a turn-key white label platform that uses artificial intelligence to learn family behaviour and automatically programme smart home services. Service Providers can launch plugand-play products and services, like home security, heating, lighting and home protection, which improve family life for everyday living rather than being a throwaway gadget. www.meetviva.com

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