Advanced energy-harvesting IC broadens benefits of battery-free technology
ST’s SPV1050 is ideal for applications with power requirements from a few microwatts to several milliwatts, and is equally suitable for both indoor and outdoor consumer and industrial applications using either solar or thermal energy.
The ultra low-power energy-harvesting IC also provides more functions than competing devices, which aids miniaturization and saves bill-of-materials costs. Both 1.8 V and 3.3 V regulators are available to power a companion microcontroller or wireless transmitter directly without requiring additional components. Maximum Power-Point Tracking (MPPT) continuously optimizes energy harvesting, or can be disabled. The battery-charging circuitry supports a wide variety of battery types including lithium-ion and lithium-polymer, lithium thin-film solid state, NiMH and NiCd, as well as supercapacitors.
Inside the SPV1050, a buck-boost converter allows the device to connect to either TEG or indoor/outdoor solar-energy harvesting modules by providing a wide input-voltage range from 180 mV to 8 V. Average operating efficiency of 90% allows fast battery charging even at low input power levels, while minimum MPPT accuracy of 90% maximizes energy extraction from solar or TEG sources. In addition, the integrated battery charging controller uses highly accurate under-voltage and end-of-charge thresholds, and provides safe control logic to prevent excessive discharging for longer battery life.
Availability and Pricing
The SPV1050 is sampling now and scheduled for production in Q1 2014. The device is available in a 20-lead QFN 3x3x1 mm package or in 20-bump WLCSP tested and unsawn wafers. Budgetary pricing is $1.15 for orders of up to 1,000 pieces.
Visit STMicroelectronics at www.st.com
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
