Date: 7th Jun 2011
Solar cell battery charging IC for mobile
phones
ST Microelectronics has released new battery charging
IC using valuable source of solar energy in small strips
of solar cells seen in applications of the front panels
of small portable consumer, healthcare and security devices.
The IC will increase charging efficiency either indoor or
outdoor, using the sun's radiated energy, enabling longer
mobile equipment runtime and avoiding an unexpected lack
of power when a mains connection is not available.
ST's SPV1040 contains step-up DC-DC converter for solar
battery charger to obtain maximum possible energy from solar
cells using Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) Technique.
It can be connected to strips of even just a few cells,
allowing use in products such as portable healthcare devices,
watches, calculators, wireless headsets, toys, or mobile
phones. The battery charger and MPPT technology can also
be used in equipment such as sensors and security cameras.
The MPPT algorithm embedded in SPV1040 to adjust charger's
input impedence for matching with solar cell and to maximize
energy transfer to battery. If MPPT has not enclosed then
their will be a reduce in energy harvested due to temperature,
ageing, dirt.
Major features of SPV1040:
Input-voltage range: 0.3V to 5.5V
Integrated low-loss synchronous rectifier and power switch
Up to 95% efficiency
Shutdown pin to aid system-level power management
Thermal shutdown and protection circuitry to improve battery
and overall system safety
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