Conformal Power Module for First Responders

First responders use of portable electronic devices including cell phones and radios has increased dramatically over the past decade and will continue to grow with the introduction of new visual augmentation systems, wearable sensors, and mobile computing systems being developed under the DHS Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) Apex program. The large number of powered devices, each with their own independent energy storage systems, requires first responders to track multiple battery charge levels which increases mental work load and has the potential to inhibit the effectiveness of first responders. In addition, each of these devices requires a separate charger and/or battery type which increases costs and logistics challenges. DHS has a critical need to consolidate energy storage for NGFR devices through a centralized Power Module that has the flexibility to support a large number of devices simultaneously with safe, reliable power. Similar systems have been developed for DoD applications, but they are typically 1-2 orders of magnitude more expensive than the 50-100 dollar DHS cost target and are not designed for first responder civilian applications. Therefore, an innovative, low-cost system design is needed to address this capability gap and enable the situational awareness gains made possible with the future NGFR vision.