Modern military operations are increasingly reliant on advanced electronic devices, giving warfighters a crucial edge. However, this technological dependence introduces significant power management challenges. Dismounted soldiers often carry a substantial weight of spare batteries, sometimes exceeding 20-40 lbs, just to sustain a 72-hour mission. This battery burden stems from the variety of devices, each frequently requiring unique, non-interchangeable batteries due to differing mechanical connections or electrical specifications. This heavy load diminishes physical and cognitive performance, ultimately affecting readiness and operational effectiveness. Xentris Wireless, through its EXO Charge division, addresses this critical issue with innovative solutions centered around Xentris Usb C technology and the Small Tactical Universal Battery (STUB) series.
The Tactical Power Challenge: A Heavy Burden
The complexity of tactical power is visually represented by the diverse array of batteries typically needed to power a soldier’s electronic gear.
As military modernization accelerates, the power demands of next-generation tactical systems are only increasing. Data from the U.S. Army C5ISR Center highlights this growing need, emphasizing the urgency for standardized power solutions. The Next-Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program further underscored this point by requiring a powered rail system with a common power source, driven by the advanced aiming and targeting systems envisioned for these weapons. Historically, the lack of battery standardization stemmed from valid technical reasons:
- Output Voltage: Tactical devices operate across a voltage range of 3.3-21V, necessitating batteries with specific cell chemistries and configurations to meet these diverse requirements.
- Form Factor: Battery size and weight are dictated by energy demands and device ergonomics, leading to varied shapes and sizes.
- Connection Interface: Even batteries with similar size and energy capacity often lack interchangeability due to different electrical and mechanical connections.
- COTS Compatibility: Military equipment traditionally hasn’t prioritized compatibility with Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) devices, demanding higher robustness standards instead.
Recognizing these challenges, the C5ISR team identified key human factors design criteria for portable batteries in 2018-2019: a common interface, a consistent 2D cross-section, and scalability in the third dimension for capacity adjustments. Crucially, they recognized that a common battery voltage was paramount for interoperability, even more so than physical form or connection type.
The Drive for Battery Standardization with USB-C
The vision for battery standardization centered on creating a family of interoperable batteries with adaptive power delivery and a universal connection interface. This approach aims to alleviate the battery burden on soldiers, enhance operational capabilities, streamline logistics, and reduce overall program costs by leveraging commercial technologies and economies of scale.
USB protocols, managed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), have revolutionized device connectivity since 1996. The ubiquity of USB in consumer electronics and mobile technology is undeniable, transforming communication and information access. This mobile revolution is also reshaping tactical operations. Systems like Nett Warrior, utilizing secure COTS mobile devices and applications like ATAK, demonstrate the force-multiplying potential of mobile solutions in the field. However, supporting these mobile devices has added to the soldier’s load and logistical complexity.
The Army’s Conformal Wearable Battery (CWB), developed in 2008, was an initial step towards wearable power. Yet, within a decade, the increasing power demands of modern electronics outstripped the CWB’s capabilities. Xentris Wireless, drawing on its commercial mobile device industry expertise, recognized the need for more efficient, lighter, and less bulky power solutions. The answer lies in advancements in USB technology, particularly xentris usb c.
USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0, introduced in 2019, significantly boosted charging capabilities up to 100 watts. Beyond raw power, USB PD and Programmable Power Supply (PPS) optimize power management through continuous communication between charger and device, ensuring efficient and rapid charging. PPS enables incremental voltage and current adjustments, minimizing energy loss during charging, reducing heat generation, and extending battery lifespan. This efficient charging also minimizes thermal signatures, a crucial tactical advantage. Furthermore, USB PD’s bidirectional power flow allows devices to be charged while simultaneously charging the battery pack itself. Xentris Wireless, recognizing the importance of fast-charging, became the first mobile device company to achieve USB PD certification.
Addressing the challenge of varying voltage requirements across tactical devices, xentris usb c solutions with USB PD support a wide voltage range, from 5V for smartphones to 20V for laptops, and even 14V for radios. The final piece of the puzzle is the USB Type-C connector itself. USB-C is designed as a universal, reversible connector capable of transmitting power, data, video, and audio, simplifying connections and enhancing user-friendliness, particularly beneficial in demanding military environments.
The STUB Series: Powered by Xentris USB-C
In July 2020, the Small Tactical Universal Battery (STUB) program was launched, with Xentris Wireless’ EXO Charge division collaborating with the C5ISR team to develop the STUB series. The STUB family, incorporating xentris usb c, provides adaptive power for diverse device platforms and features a standard interface for battery swapping, eliminating the need for device-specific batteries. STUB applications span a wide range of tactical equipment, including radios, GPS, night vision devices, satellite communication, surveillance systems, targeting systems, and mine detectors.
Offering eight size/capacity options and versatile attachment methods, all with a common xentris usb c interface, the STUB series delivers unprecedented interoperability and operational flexibility. STUB batteries utilize rechargeable Lithium-Ion technology in configurations from 1-cell to 8-cell, with capacities of 3.5 Ah or 7Ah. Featuring USB PD and PPS via its xentris usb c connector, STUB supports bi-directional, multi-voltage power delivery. Output voltage ranges from 5V to 20V via PD and 3.3V to 11V via PPS.
Charging STUBs is streamlined through the xentris usb c interface using any USB PD compliant charger. STUBs also support charging via contact terminals with adapters for standard Army chargers in development. A user-friendly “double-tap” feature allows soldiers to quickly check battery State-of-Charge via LED indicators and activate a Power Transfer feature to share energy between STUBs using a USB-C cable.
The STUB series is USB-IF certified, undergoing MIL-PRF qualification, and certified to MIL-STD-810H, MIL-STD-461G, UN 38.3, and IP68 standards. With its unparalleled interoperability, standardization, and flexibility, the STUB family, powered by xentris usb c, is poised to become the mission-ready power source for next-generation tactical electronics.
EXO Charge, a division of Xentris Wireless, is dedicated to developing rugged military power solutions leveraging commercial technological advancements. The EXO Charge team comprises industry and military veterans with extensive experience in both commercial mobile power and military programs like CWB, SWIPES, and SPM. EXO Charge is leading the next generation of warfighter power solutions. Visit EXOcharge.com to explore their mission-ready technologies and learn more about xentris usb c powered solutions.
Conclusion
The integration of xentris usb c technology into the STUB battery series represents a significant leap forward in tactical power management. By providing a standardized, interoperable, and efficient power solution, Xentris Wireless is directly addressing the critical challenges faced by modern warfighters. The STUB series, with its advanced USB-C capabilities, reduces battery burden, enhances operational readiness, and simplifies logistics, ultimately empowering mission success in the field.
