Solar charger enables longer battery life
A new battery charging IC has been unveiled by STMicroelectronics.
The SPV1040 is a step up dc/dc converter with an input voltage range of between 0.3 and 5.5V. It is designed to increase charging efficiency and enable longer runtime in mobile equipment.
The device is optimised for portable applications to employ Maximum Power Point Tracking, a technique for collecting the maximum possible energy from solar cells. According to ST, it can be connected to strips of even just a few cells and is suitable for use in portable healthcare devices, calculators, wireless headsets and mobile phones.
The SPV1040 features an integrated low loss synchronous rectifier, a shutdown pin to aid system level power management and a power switch. ST claims it offers up to 95% efficiency.
