Power feed equipment for the SL undersea lightwave cable

Abstract

The power feed equipment (PFE) for the SL undersea lightwave cable converts 48 V battery power to a constant current of 1.6 A at voltages up to 7500 V to power the undersea electronics. Switchmode DC-to-DC converters operating at 18 kHz, together with a microprocessor-based control system and fiber-optic isolators, are used in the high-voltage power equipment to furnish highly reliable power to underwater regenerators in this optical undersea cable for transoceanic telecommunications. After a brief discussion of the general system architecture of the SL PFE, the authors discuss the technology used, including switch-mode power conversion unit, output current and voltage regulation, microprocessor control and human interface, and physical design. It is concluded that the experience with the earliest application of the SL PFE technology, the OPTICAN lightwave cable between the Canary Islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife, has demonstrated its capability to meet the requirements of the SL undersea lightwave transmission system.<>