Packet Digital

Packet Digital is designs circuitry for solar-powered UAS to more efficiently use electrical output from solar panels on the aircraft wings and fuselage to power avionics and charge on-board batteries. By reducing wasteful power dissipation, the company aims to increases flight times.

Packet Digital is designing power electronics to be used conjointly with advanced photovoltaics being developed by the United States Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. Ultimately, the two organizations want to help the Navy achieve unlimited flight times for its solar-powered UAS. The circuitry will implement high-frequency power tracking algorithms to accommodate dynamic movements of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or clouds that could change how much sunlight is absorbed and converted by the solar cells.[3]

Packet Digital announced in June 2015 that it would create Botlink LLC as a joint venture with drone app developer Aerobotic Innovations LLC. Botlink will develop and market a hardware-software platform combining Packet Digital's power management circuits for improved drone endurance and Aerobotic Innovation's cloud-based operations platform for safety, communications, data processing and control of a drone from a drag-and-drop app on a tablet or smartphone—a feature known as "Drag. Drop. Drone."[4]

In 2021, Packet Digital and the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) are announced the successful first test flight of their jointly developed long-endurance UAS. The fixed-wing, hybrid UAS utilized solar panels installed on the wings, autonomous soaring algorithms, and hydrogen fuel cell technology to create a new class of small UAS with the ability to stay in flight for over two days. The fixed-wing drone successfully completed the first phase of operational testing at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland in late November. [5]

Additionally in 2021, Packet Digital was awarded a supplier agreement with Lockheed Martin to supply high energy density, lithium batteries for Lockheed Martin’s cutting-edge Indago 4 drone. Packet Digital’s Indago 4 battery provides significant performance and functionality improvements over previous generation Indago batteries. The custom-designed battery management system also enhances the safety and longevity of the battery ensuring lower cost of ownership. Along with the battery pack, Packet Digital has also developed a multi-pack field charger that can be operated on both AC and DC input for flexible, worldwide use.[6]

In 2021, Packet Digital was awarded a $7,999,913 contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory to develop highly-efficient and reliable space power components for future U.S. space missions. Work began in July 2021, and is expected to be completed in 2024. Packet Digital’s development focuses on replacing current spacecraft power system hardware, which is reaching its technological limit in regards to power density and efficiency. Additionally, current power system hardware footprint and weight can be dramatically reduced by implementing advanced technologies.[7]

In February 2015, it was announced Peter Lindgren, president and CEO of Otter Products, and Linda Pancratz, retired chairman of the board and CEO of TDL Infomedia Limited in the United Kingdom, joined the Packet Digital board of directors.[8]

Presently, Packet Digital is lead by Terri Zimmerman (CEO), who was named CEO in 2013. Additional leadership include Andrew Paulsen (CTO), who joined Packet Digital in 2005.[9]

Packet Digital was named the Electronics and Overall Innovation Challenge Winner at Aviation Week 2012 in Washington, D.C.[10] Gartner named Packet Digital in its 2014 Cool Vendors in Semiconductors report.[11] Inc. listed the company number 468 among its 500 Fastest Growing Companies in 2008.[1]