Summary of R1810 BOOST DC/DC CONVERTER IS AN ENERGY HARVESTING SOLUTION
Summary: The R1810 Boost DC/DC Converter is an energy-harvesting IC that powers low-current IoT devices from a single photovoltaic cell. It starts with only 9 µW and a 0.5 V input, continues operation down to 0.2 V, and reaches 66% efficiency at 5 µA (Vin=0.5 V, Vset=2.6 V). The device uses fixed VMP and VSET points to optimize energy transfer, stops switching when input falls below VMP, and includes two Power Good monitors for input and output power status.
Parts used in the R1810 Boost DC/DC Converter:
- R1810 Boost DC/DC Converter IC
- Single cell photovoltaic element (solar cell)
- Energy storage component (capacitor or battery) for output storage
- Input connection/traces to photovoltaic cell
- Output connection/traces to load (IoT device)
- Optional monitoring indicator or interface for Power Good signals
The R1810 Boost DC/DC Converter is an energy harvesting solution designed for powering low current consuming IoT devices by extracting energy from Photovoltaic cells. Target applications include wireless sensors, home and building automation, remote monitoring, presence detection, industrial equipment controls and more.
Tailored specifically to replace the conventional batteries with power supplies operate with photovoltaic cells, the R1810 Boost DC/DC Converter starts up with only 9µW provided from a single cell photovoltaic element. The new IC with its ultra-low power consumption and high-efficiency features enable storing power from any type of 1 cell photovoltaic element. Its start-up voltage is only 0.5 V and once started, the operation continues even if the input voltage drops below 0.2 V. Moreover, it has a high-efficiency performance of 66% at 5 µA output current (Vin=0.5V, Vset=2.6V).
An internally fixed maximum power point voltage (VMP) and output voltage setting (VSET) of the device helps in optimizing the performance of the electrical circuit with respect to the selected energy harvester type. Upon the availability of sufficient energy on the input and increases above the VMP level, the boost DC/DC Converter can transfer energy from the input to the output. On the other hand, when the amount of transferred power exceeds the supplied power from the photovoltaic cell, the input voltage decreases below VMP and the DC/DC converter stops switching.
The converter comes with two monitoring circuits that indicate the status of the conversion process on the respective outputs. First Input Power Good function becomes active when the output voltage level falls below the VOUTUVLO voltage and whether the DC/DC converter stops switching for at least 1.5 seconds. Other Output Power Good function indicates that the output voltage level drops below 50 to 80% of its nominal level, this threshold is internally set and specified by the product version.
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- What is the minimum input power required for the R1810 to start up?
The R1810 starts up with only 9 µW provided from a single cell photovoltaic element. - What is the start-up voltage of the R1810 Boost DC/DC Converter?
The start-up voltage is 0.5 V. - Can the R1810 continue operating if input voltage falls after start-up?
Yes, once started the operation continues even if the input voltage drops below 0.2 V. - What efficiency does the R1810 achieve at low output current?
It achieves 66% efficiency at 5 µA output current with Vin=0.5 V and Vset=2.6 V. - How does the R1810 manage optimal energy transfer from the photovoltaic cell?
It uses internally fixed maximum power point voltage (VMP) and output voltage setting (VSET) to optimize performance for the selected energy harvester. - When does the converter stop switching with respect to VMP?
The converter stops switching when input voltage decreases below VMP because transferred power exceeds supplied power. - What monitoring functions are included on the R1810?
It has Input Power Good, which becomes active when output voltage falls below VOUTUVLO and the converter stops switching for at least 1.5 seconds, and Output Power Good, which signals when output voltage drops to 50–80% of nominal (threshold set by product version). - What applications is the R1810 targeted for?
Target applications include wireless sensors, home and building automation, remote monitoring, presence detection, and industrial equipment controls.
