A low-power MPPT architecture for micro-scale photovoltaic transducers

• Published in: 2016 18th Mediterranean Electrotechnical Conference (MELECON) pp. 1 - 5
• Main Authors: Ibrahim, Mahmoud A. A., Aboudina, Mohamed M., Mohieldin, Ahmed Nader
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01-04-2016
• Subjects: Computer architecture; Converters; Electronics; Energy harvesting; Illumination; Lighting; Maximum power point trackers; MPPT; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic systems; Solar cells; solar energy; Switching; Tracking; Transducers; Voltage-controlled oscillators
• ISSN: 2158-8481
• DOI: 10.1109/MELCON.2016.7495322

In this paper, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) system for indoors photovoltaic transducers is presented. The proposed system is used in conjunction with a switching DC-DC boost converter that generates a 1.2 V output for the circuits of the ultra-low-power application. The MPPT tracks different illumination intensities through changing the input impedance of the boost converter. The open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic transducer is compared with a reference voltage and the switching frequency of the boost converter is changed accordingly. The stability of the MPPT feedback system is analyzed for a wide range of illumination intensities. The proposed system has been implemented in a low-cost CMOS 130nm technology. It consumes a quiescent current less than 2.5μA and achieves an average tracking efficiency (TE) of 99%.