Linear Technology

Corporation
October 2010
Tony Armstrong
Director of Product Marketing, Power Products

LTC3105: What Is It?

• 400mA Step-Up DC/DC Converter with Maximum Power Point Control

Energy Harvesting Power Supply
• Low Start-Up Voltage: 250mV
• Auxiliary 6mA LDO Regulator
• Burst ModeR Operation: IQ = 22µA

© 2005 Linear Technology

© 2005 Linear Technology

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LTC3105 : Key Features

• Low Start-Up Voltage: 250mV

• Maximum Power Point Control
• Wide VIN Range: 0.2V to 5V
• Auxiliary 6mA LDO Regulator
• Burst Mode Operation: IQ = 22µA
• Output Disconnect and Inrush Current Limiting
• VIN > VOUT Operation
• Antiringing Control
• Soft Start
• Automatic Power Adjust
• Power Good Indicator

© 2005 Linear Technology

LTC3105: Example Low Voltage Power Sources

MicroPelt ThermoElectric Generator Single PhotoVoltaic Cell

ESR ~=350 ohms

MPP ~ = 75% of Voc

© 2005 Linear Technology

© 2005 Linear Technology

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LTC3105: PhotoVoltaic Reference Data

Energy Available at Various Light Conditions Relative to Full Sun

100% Full sun-panel square to sun

71% Full sun-panel at 45 degree angle to sun
60-80% Light overcast
20-30% Heavy overcast
91% Inside window, single pane, double strength glass,
Indoor Light has 500x less
window and module square to sun available energy than direct
84% Inside window, double pane, double strength glass, Sunlight!

window and module square to sun

64% Inside window, single pane, double strength glass,
window module at 45 degree angle to sun
0.4% Indoor office light - at desk top
1.3% Indoor light - store lighting
0.2% Indoor light – home

This information came from the following link:

http://www.oksolar.com/pv/calculations_key_concepts.htm
© 2005 Linear Technology

LTC3105 – Typical Application

© 2005 Linear Technology

© 2005 Linear Technology

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LTC3105 – Output Current vs VSOURCE of

Typical Application

© 2005 Linear Technology

LTC3105 – Start-Up Sequence

Typical Converter Start-Up Sequence

© 2005 Linear Technology

© 2005 Linear Technology

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LTC3105: Block Diagram Review

Main Output
Shutdown Input

LDO Output
Power Good

MPPC Setpoint VAUX

LTC3525 type Boost Engine Low Voltage Start Up circuitry

© 2005 Linear Technology

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Integrated MMPC-Why is it Important?

MPPC Enables Maximum Energy Collection Without Collapsing

Source Voltage

© 2005 Linear Technology

© 2005 Linear Technology

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LTC3105: Simple Maximum Power Point Control

• Maximum Power Point

Control circuit servo’s Vin to
equal V(MPPT)

• V(MPPT) = 5uA x R(MPPT)

• Optimal V(MPPT) = ~ 75% of

Voc for Solar Cell and 50%
of Voc for Voltage source
with ESR

V(MPPT)

© 2005 Linear Technology

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LTC3105 Package Options

© 2005 Linear Technology

© 2005 Linear Technology

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Typical Market Applications

•Wireless Sensor Networks
•Solar Powered Battery/Supercapacitor Chargers
• TEG Energy Harvesting
•Remote Industrial Sensors
•Cell Phone, MP3, PMP and GPS Accessory
Chargers

© 2005 Linear Technology

© 2005 Linear Technology