Utilizing maximum power point trackers in parallel to maximize the power output of a solar (photovoltaic) array

It is common when optimizing a photovoltaic (PV) system to use a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) to increase the power output of the solar array. Currently, most military applications that utilize solar energy omit or use only a single MPPT per PV system. The focus of this research was to quantify the expected benefits of using multiple MPPTs within a PV system based on current technologies and to summarize what may be possible in the near future. In this thesis, the advertised 58% gains in efficiency claimed by manufacturers of the multiple MPPT approach were tested and a set of generalized recommendations concerning which applications may benefit from this distributed approach, and which ones may not were sought. The primary benefit of utilizing multiple MPPTs is the concept that independently operating panels within a solar array could increase the overall reliability and resiliency of the entire PV system and potentially allow for solar applications to be used in particularly harsh and dynamic environments with increased confidence. Additionally, using multiple, smaller MPPTs could decrease the overall array dimensions that would save space, reduce weight, and lower costs.http://archive.org/details/utilizingmaximum1094527907Captain, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Mixed-source charger-supply CMOS IC

The proposed research objective is to develop, test, and evaluate a mixer and charger-supply CMOS IC that derives and mixes energy and power from mixed sources to accurately supply a miniaturized system. Since the energy-dense source stores more energy than the power-dense source while the latter supplies more power than the former, the proposed research aims to develop an IC that automatically selects how much and from which source to draw power to maximize lifetime per unit volume. Today, the state of the art lacks the intelligence and capability to select the most appropriate source from which to extract power to supply the time-varying needs of a small system. As such, the underlying objective and benefit of this research is to reduce the size of a complete electronic system so that wireless sensors and biomedical implants, for example, as a whole, perform well, operate for extended periods, and integrate into tiny spaces.Ph.D

Fast-waking and low-voltage thermoelectric and photovoltaic CMOS chargers for energy-harvesting wireless microsensors

The small size of wireless microsystems allows them to be deployed within larger systems to sense and monitor various indicators throughout many applications. However, their small size restricts the amount of energy that can be stored in the system. Current microscale battery technologies do not store enough energy to power the microsystems for more than a few months without recharging. Harvesting ambient energy to replenish the on-board battery extend the lifetime of the microsystem. Although light and thermal energy are more practical in some applications than other forms of ambient energy, they nevertheless suffer from long energy droughts. Additionally, due to the very limited space available in the microsystem, the system cannot store enough energy to continue operation throughout these energy droughts. Therefore, the microsystem must reliably wake from these energy droughts, even if the on-board battery has been depleted. The challenge here is waking a microsystem directly from an ambient source transducer whose voltage and power levels are limited due to their small size. Starter circuits must be used to ensure the system wakes regardless of the state of charge of the energy storage device. The purpose of the presented research is to develop, design, simulate, fabricate, test and evaluate CMOS integrated circuits that can reliably wake from no energy conditions and quickly recharge a depleted battery. Since the battery is depleted during startup, the system must use the low voltage produced by the energy harvesting transducer to transfer energy. The presented system has the fastest normalized wake time while reusing the inductor already present in the battery charger for startup, therefore, minimizing the overall footprint of the system.Ph.D