Ultra-Low Current DC/DC Buck Switching Regulator for Photovoltaic Energy Harvesting Applications
Richo Electronic Devices Co. Ltd. has launched the R1801 series, an ultra-low quotient current buck DC/DC switching regulator designed for storing electricity with a Photovoltaic element. At normal temperature, it achieves an ultra-low quiescent current of 200nA and high efficiency of typically 80% at 10 μA, and minimum starting power of 1.00 μW (VIN=4V, VOUT=3.0V).
With the help of a maximum power point control (MPPC) function and a reverse current protection function, the DC/DC switching regulator can perform highly efficient extractions of electricity from a photovoltaic element. The MPPC voltage and the output voltage can be adjusted with the help of the pin setting, this could be convenient for determining the default voltage at the initial consideration or can vary the MPPC voltage based in the actual environment.
The former function used in the device optimizes the efficiency of power supply from a photovoltaic element and the latter cuts off the reverse-current path at no power supply to prevent power loss caused by reverse current. The power good (PG) function of the R1801 monitors the output voltage and it also enables grasping the power storage level, which constructs the power-supply sequence of the subsequent system.
Features of R1801
- Minimum starting power: 1.00 μW (VIN = 4 V, VOUT = 3.0 V)
- Ultra-low quiescent current: 200nA
- High efficiency of 80% at 10 μA simultaneously
- Adjustable Maximum Power Point Control, Adjustable Output Voltage
- Packed in a DFN (PLP)2730-12 (3.0 × 2.7 × 0.60 mm)
- Monitoring the output voltage to output Power Good (PG) signal
Note: More technical information can be found in the datasheet linked at the bottom of this page and on the R1801 Series product page.
