ZPEnergy.com - DC/DC boost converter enables portables to tap new energy sources

Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) has introduced a low input voltage DC/DC boost converter that it says will enable portable electronic end-equipment to draw power from new energy sources, such as solar and micro-fuel cells. The tiny power circuit can efficiently operate with input voltages lower than 0.3V, allowing designers to overcome the low-voltage design barrier of incorporating these alternative energy sources in applications such as mobile phones, portable medical devices and media players.

Low input voltage support
The new TPS61200 step-up converter with integrated 1.5A switch supports input voltages of 0.3-5.5V during normal operation, and continues to manage power down to 0V if the undervoltage lockout pin is connected directly to the output voltage. The converter provides low 0.5V start-up capability in any load condition, and can operate with more than 90-percent efficiency.

The TPS61200's ability to operate from a single solar cell eliminates the need for multiple solar cells in series, and eliminates the required protection circuitry associated with series connection. This leads to new potential designs, such as a built-in solar-powered cellphone charger that uses indoor ambient lighting to help provide an infinite amount of standby time.

"Portable equipment designers, including those in the portable medical, wireless and portable audio fields, are continuing to look at how to apply solar and fuel cell technology into their devices to extend battery life and differentiate their products," said Uwe Mengelkamp, director of TI's DC/DC converter product line. "Designers can use the TPS61200 to achieve low-voltage operation to connect these new low-power energy sources with the ICs in their system."

Critical features
The TPS61200 offers several features that are critical during low-voltage operation, including output shortcircuit protection, programmable undervoltage lockout and a "down-conversion mode" that helps protect the device when an input voltage rises higher than the output voltage. In addition, the converter can be disabled to further minimize battery drain. While the end equipment shuts down, the TPS61200 protects the system from receiving any additional power from the battery.

The IC's low operating voltage also eliminates many design challenges that occur when operating a single-cell Alkaline, NiCd and NiMH batteries to power anything from toys to portable medical devices. The TPS61200 extends the operating time of many pulsed-load applications that experience pass-load conditions at low-voltage inputs.

The TPS61200 boost converters are available in a 3-by-3mm, 10-pin QFN package. Resale pricing in quantities of 1,000 units is $1.68.

Source: DC/DC boost converter

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In other news:

ENGINEERS SET NEW WORLD RECORD IN GENERATION OF HIGH-FREQUENCY SUBMILLIMETER WAVES, April 16
Researchers at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have achieved a new world record in high-frequency submillimeter waves. The record-setting 324-gigahertz frequency was accomplished using a voltage-controlled oscillator in a 90-nanometer complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit, a technology used in chips such as microprocessors.
Full story at http://www.physorg.com/news95937386.html


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