Design and implementation of an IoT-controlled DC-DC converter

In line with the shift towards renewable energy, small-scale solar panels have become commonly available. Solar panels are intermittent energy sources producing direct current, and DC-DC converters are needed to convert between different voltage levels, both for different power loads and for storing energy. DC-DC converters typically have a very limited functionality and are statically configured for specific voltage levels. In this paper, we propose a new generation of flexible DC-DC converters with software and communication support (through Contiki and CoAP) for remote power monitoring and control. We present a prototype design and implementation of a DC-DC converter including a microprocessor, a lean operating system, and networking support. With such a DC-DC converter, controlled over the Internet, we can address various types of power and energy related issues and advance the state-of-the-art of green networked applications.