NXP Semiconductors NV has debuted the MPT612, a low-power integrated circuit (IC) for performing maximum power point tracking (MPPT) functions for applications using solar photovoltaic cells or fuel cells.
Supported by a patent-pending MPPT algorithm, the MPT612 IC can deliver up to 98% efficient power extraction in applications such as solar battery charge controllers, distributed MPPT and micro-inverters, the company says.
The MPT612 is based on a low-power, 32-bit ARM7TDMI-S processor that supports multiple serial interfaces, including I2C, UART, SPI and SSP. The MPT612 features hardware functions needed in PV applications, including voltage and current measurement, as well as panel-parameter configuration, and is able to send an output signal to control external switching, NXP Semiconductors adds.
The product is available with object files, including NXP's patent-pending MPPT algorithm, an application-specific software library, and easy-to-use application programming interfaces.
SOURCE: NXP Semiconductors
