Peripheral interface controller-based maximum power point tracking algorithm for photovoltaic DC to DC boost controller

A method of developing a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm for photovoltaic (PV) utilizing a peripheral interface controller (PIC) is presented in this paper. The efficiency and adequacy of a PV depend on the temperature and the exposed position to the sun. Thus, there is an optimum point at which the operating power is at maximum. The goal is to operate the PV module at this point (MPP). It can be accomplished by using the MPPT algorithm designed with a DC-DC boost converter. The boost converter, MPPT circuit, PIC18F4550 microcontroller and PV panel are the main components used in this design. The current and voltage produced by the solar panel are observed continuously by a closed-loop control system. The microcontroller-based control system adjusts the duty cycle of the converter to extract the maximum power. With a DC input voltage of 15 V, the boost converter is capable of generating an output voltage of an approximately 60 Vdc at a maximum power of 213.42 W with minimum voltage ripple as compared to 84 W without the MPPT. It proved the effectiveness of the developed algorithm

Simple broadband circularly polarized monopole antenna with two asymmetrically connected U-shaped parasitic strips and defective ground plane

A simple compact broadband circularly polarized monopole antenna, which comprises a simple monopole, a modified ground plane with an implementing triangular stub and two asymmetrically connected U-shaped parasitic strips, is proposed. Simulation results show that the proposed compact antenna (0.62λo×0.68λo) achieves a 10-dB impedance bandwidth (IBW) of 111% (1.7 to 5.95 GHz) and a 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW) of 61% (3.3–6.2 GHz) with a peak gain between 2.9–4 dBi for the entire ARBW. With its broad IBW and ARBW, compact size and simple structure, the proposed antenna is suitable for different wireless communications

Peripheral interface controller-based maximum power point tracking algorithm for photovoltaic DC to DC boost controller

A method of developing a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm for photovoltaic (PV) utilizing a peripheral interface controller (PIC) is presented in this paper. The efficiency and adequacy of a PV depend on the temperature and the exposed position to the sun. Thus, there is an optimum point at which the operating power is at maximum. The goal is to operate the PV module at this point (MPP). It can be accomplished by using the MPPT algorithm designed with a DC-DC boost converter. The boost converter, MPPT circuit, PIC18F4550 microcontroller and PV panel are the main components used in this design. The current and voltage produced by the solar panel are observed continuously by a closed-loop control system. The microcontroller-based control system adjusts the duty cycle of the converter to extract the maximum power. With a DC input voltage of 15 V, the boost converter is capable of generating an output voltage of an approximately 60 Vdc at a maximum power of 213.42 W with minimum voltage ripple as compared to 84 W without the MPPT. It proved the effectiveness of the developed algorithm

Investigation of Printed Helical Antenna Using Varied Materials for Ultra-wide band Frequency

This paper investigates the design of a strip helical antenna for ultra-wideband communication with circular polarization at different frequencies and materials. Unlike the conventional axial-mode helical antenna which is designed using a traditional metallic wire that makes the antenna size large, the strip helical antenna is designed using the metallic strip. As a result, the circular polarization without an impedance matching is achieved. The newly designed strip is printed on a substrate then rolled into a helix shape to achieve circular polarization without an impedance matching and that the proposed antenna can be used for potential applications in wideband and ultrawideband wireless communication. The antenna design parameters and the simulated results are achieved using the commercial software CST. The helical antenna is designed at different operating frequencies which are 10 GHz, 5.8 GHz, and 5.6 GHz for different materials. The gain achieved is between 7 dB to 14 dB for using Teflon, and fast-film materials at different operating frequencies. While the maximum achieved bandwidth is 2.5 GHz by using fast-film material at 10 GHz operating frequency which makes it suitable for usage in many wideband applications

Simple broadband circularly polarized monopole antenna with two asymmetrically connected U-shaped parasitic strips and defective ground plane

A simple compact broadband circularly polarized monopole antenna, which comprises a simple monopole, a modified ground plane with an implementing triangular stub and two asymmetrically connected U-shaped parasitic strips, is proposed. Simulation results show that the proposed compact antenna (0.62λo×0.68λo) achieves a 10-dB impedance bandwidth (IBW) of 111% (1.7 to 5.95 GHz) and a 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW) of 61% (3.3-6.2 GHz) with a peak gain between 2.9-4 dBi for the entire ARBW. With its broad IBW and ARBW, compact size and simple structure, the proposed antenna is suitable for different wireless communications

New CPW-fed broadband circularly polarized planar monopole antenna based on a couple of linked symmetric square patches

A new broadband circularly polarized planar monopole antenna with coplanar waveguide feeding (CPW-fed) is proposed. This antenna consists of a couple of linked symmetric square patches (CLSSP), an asymmetric ground plane and two strips connected to the left ground plane by the CLSSP radiator and a straight strip. A broad impedance bandwidth (IBW) is achieved. Moreover, a broad axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW) is obtained by using an asymmetric ground plane and an inverted L-shaped strip. Simulation results demonstrate that IBW reaches 119% (1.56–6.18 GHz) and ARBW is 88.9% (2–5.2 GHz). The latter is completely overlapped by the simulated IBW. In addition, antenna performance is investigated by studying different parameters

A review of hybrid couplers:state-of-the-art, applications, design issues and challenges

Abstract In recent years, the hybrid branch-line coupler has attracted much attention due to its appealing features such as of low cost and ease in fabrication for wireless communications. The fifth-generation cellular networks promise to support several wireless technologies by capitalizing a multitude of frequencies and increase data rates. To achieve that, the butler matrix technique can be used to enhance both bandwidth and data rate with the implementation of beamforming. Conventional hybrid couplers are the main component to build a butler matrix, but they are generally bulky in size and narrow in bandwidth. Moreover, requirements imposed by newer wireless technologies makes the efforts in improving size compactness and bandwidth even more challenging. On the other hand, several techniques have been proposed in literature to solve both issues. This study focuses on the design challenges and issues of hybrid coupler designs and technologies, besides underlining their promising potential. In this context, several techniques for hybrid coupler to achieve the required bandwidth and size reduction are highlighted, such as the T-shape, meander line, two sections, three-section, and parallel couple lines

Single-layer planar monopole antenna-based artificial magnetic conductor (AMC)

Abstract In this paper, a coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed patch antenna is fabricated on a layer of metasurface to increase gain. The antenna is fabrication on Roger substrate with a thickness of 0.25 mm, with the overall dimension of the proposed design being 45 × 30 × 0.25 mm³. The size of the patch antenna is 24 × 14 × 0.25 mm³, and the AMC unit cell is 22 × 22 × 0.25 mm³. This metasurface is designed based on the split-ring resonator unit cells forming an array of the artificial magnetic conductor (AMC). Meanwhile, the antenna operation on 3.5 GHz is enabled by etching a split-ring resonator slot on the ground plane with a small gap to enhance antenna gain and improve impedance bandwidth when integrated with a metasurface. This simulation planer monopole antenna is applied for 5G application. The experimenter test is applied for the antenna performance in terms of return loss, gain, and radiation patterns. The operating frequency range with and without MTM is from 3.41 to 3.68 GHz (270 MHz) and 3.37 to 3.55 GHz (180 MHz), respectively, with gain improvements of about 2.7 dB (without MTM) to 6.0 dB (with MTM) at 3.5 GHz. The maximum improvement of the gain is about 42% when integrated with the AMC. The AMC has solved several issues to overcome the typical limitation in conventional antenna design. A circuit model is also proposed to simplify the estimation of the performance of this antenna at the desired frequency band. The proposed design is simulated by CST microwave studio. Finally, the antenna is fabricated and measured. Result comparison between simulations and measurements indicates a good agreement between them