ST rolls solar battery charger with embedded MPPT

STMicroelectronics NV (Geneva, Switzerland) has introduced the SPV1040, a high efficiency, low power and low voltage monolithic step-up converter that provides power supply to products using even down to one photovoltaic cell or fuel cells where the capability of handling low input voltages is of utmost importance.

ST's SPV1040 operates over a 0.3 V to 5.5 V input voltage range. Despite the variation of several conditions over the day, including irradiation, dirt and temperature, it achieves the maximum efficiency in terms of power harvested from the cells and transferred to the output thanks to the embedded MPPT algorithm.

The SPV1040 employs an input voltage regulation loop, which fixes the charging battery voltage, set with a resistor divider and a maximum output current set with a current sense resistor according to charging current constraints.

It also guarantees safety of application devices and of the converter itself stopping the PWM switching in case either of reached maximum input current peak threshold set up to 1.8 A or maximum temperature limit set up to 155 °C.

SPV1040 features:
• 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

Applications
■ Smart phones and GPS systems
■ Wireless headsets
■ Small appliances, sensors
■ Portable media players
■ Digital still cameras
■ Toys and portable healthcare

Availability and pricing:
Available in the TSSOP8 plastic package, the SPV1040 is in full production, priced at approximately $2.00 in quantities of 1000 units. Alternative pricing options are available for larger quantity orders. Evaluation boards and technical documentation are also available.

Datasheet:
- SPV1040