Title :
Low-input-voltage, low-power boost converter design issues
Author :
Kimball, Jonathan W. ; Flowers, Theresa L. ; Chapman, Patrick L.
Author_Institution :
Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
Abstract :
Issues associated with boost converter design and performance are investigated when a low input voltage is used. Low-input-voltage sources include single fuel cells, single solar cells, and thermoelectric devices. The primary context is interfacing single micro fuel cells to portable electronic loads, such as mobile phones. Efficiency and circuit startup are the two most difficult issues for a low-cost design. It is shown in theory and experiment that the boost converter has a voltage collapse point. A simple startup technique is proposed that is appropriate for some applications.
Keywords :
fuel cells; power convertors; solar cell arrays; stability; thermoelectric devices; low-input-voltage; micro fuel cell; mobile phone; portable electronic load; power boost converter; single solar cell; startup circuit; thermoelectric device; voltage collapse point; Batteries; Circuits; Consumer electronics; Energy management; Fuel cells; Inductors; Low voltage; MOSFETs; Mobile handsets; Packaging; 65; Boost; low voltage; micro fuel cell; power converter; startup circuit;
Journal_Title :
Power Electronics Letters, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/LPEL.2004.839640
