Solar cells and cards
2 June 2004
Power Electronics / Power Management
Ixys has released a new range of solar cell PV-Arrays (solar arrays), and PV-Cards (solar cards), for charging various battery powered and handheld products such as mobile phones, PDAs, cameras and toys as well as for industrial applications such as wireless sensors and portable instrumentation.
With an efficiency of over 17%, the company says these Solar PV arrays enable the ability to extend run time even in 'low light' conditions and increase battery run time and life in a small footprint.
The PV-Array family of products, as well as a PV-Card consists of multiple series/parallel-connected solar cells, which provides a range of output voltages at currents from 30 to 100 mA. The cells are proprietary mono-crystalline, high efficient Ixolar cell technology. There are four different cell areas available: 120 mm2, 240 mm2, 360 mm2, and 480 mm2.
The XOA17-12-04 PV-Array has four Ixolar solar cells connected in series on a PCB. With an area of 480 mm2, this array generates typically 72 mW and 2,4 V as an open circuit voltage (Voc) making it ideal for portable electronic instruments, remote sensors, military and civilian portable wireless communication, consumer products like: PDAs, MP3 Players, and for emergency backup battery power. The PV-Card product family, however, is constructed using Ixys' proprietary DCB (direct copper bonded) ceramic as the substrate for the solar cells. The advantages of DCB substrates are improved thermal conductivity and better reliability due to similar thermal expansion coefficients. In addition, it can be patterned to mount additional chips such as a Schottky diode to prevent discharging of batteries during night-time.
PV-Cards are ideal for higher power outdoor concentrator applications such as for battery backup in commercial and telecom equipment. The PV-Cards available are the XOA17-12-14D (58 x 48 mm2) and capable of 225 mW and Voc = 8,4 V and the XOA17-36-10DS (106,7 x 46,7 mm2) with up to 500 mW. The latter has two strings of five series-connected cells that can be either connected in series to generate Voc = 2 x 3,1 V = 6,2 V or in parallel.
Further reading:
The role of bidirectional charging in the evolving energy landscape
Avnet Silica
Power Electronics / Power Management
As reliance on renewable sources like wind and solar continues to grow, the need for efficient energy flow and storage solutions has become more critical than ever.
Read more...
How to calculate a buck converter’s inductance
Power Electronics / Power Management
In the buck circuit, the inductor design is a key element that is closely related to system efficiency, the output voltage ripple, and loop stability.
Read more...
High-current EMI filters
Accutronics
Power Electronics / Power Management
TDK has introduced 20 and 40 A, 80 V DC board-mount EMI filters, reducing differential mode conducted emissions for switching power supplies with high input current requirements.
Read more...
Isolated SMD DC-DC converters
iCorp Technologies
Power Electronics / Power Management
MinMax has launched a series of isolated SMD DC-DC converters, the MSU01 series delivering 1 W, while the MSU02 series offers 2 W output.
Read more...
Next-gen power meter
Electrocomp Express
Power Electronics / Power Management
The VT-PWR-LV is a next-gen Vista Touch power meter from Trumeter for single, split, and three-phase systems.
Read more...
Advanced PMIC for high-performance AI applications
ASIC Design Services
Power Electronics / Power Management
Microchip Technology has announced the MCP16701, a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) designed to meet the needs of high-performance MPU and FPGA designers.
Read more...
New SiC power MOSFET
Future Electronics
Power Electronics / Power Management
STMicroelectronics’ SCT012H90G3AG is a robust, automotive-grade SiC MOSFET, engineered for demanding power electronics, featuring a 900?V drain-source voltage and exceptionally low on-resistance of 12?mO at 60?A.
Read more...
Fundamental motor control design challenges and solutions
Power Electronics / Power Management
Mouser Electronics has announced a new eBook in collaboration with Qorvo, featuring industry experts providing key insights into methods, power efficiency and integration solutions available for motor control applications.
Read more...
Power management IC for battery products
Power Electronics / Power Management
The nPM1304 PMIC complements Nordic’s nPM1300 PMIC with a highly integrated, ultra-low power solution and precision fuel gauging for small size battery applications.
Read more...
Powering Innovation eBook: Changing what’s possible
Power Electronics / Power Management
This exclusive read, entitled ‘Changing what’s Possible,’ delves into how power dense Vicor modules enable many world-changing innovations across various sectors.
Read more...
printer friendly version