Hidden Joule

Chip manufacturer Freescale Semiconductor has developed a highly efficient DC-DC convertor which can be used to reduce the number of solar (photovoltaic) cells needed to power a device. Most digital electronics (using transistor-transistor logic) need a voltage of between 2.2V and 5V to register a high signal (binary 1). Most solar cells produce a voltage on the order of a tenth of 1 Volt so to power a device, they must be connected in series to generate the voltage required. Freescale’s new chip will allow low current electronics to be powered by a single cell.

To illustrate this, take a look at the video demonstration of the chip below.

The exceptional performance and efficiency of Freescale’s DC-to-DC power conversion technology is achieved through a combination of SMARTMOS 10 process technology, optimized flip-chip on leadframe (FCOL) packaging and innovative IC design. Freescale’s 130-nanometer SMARTMOS 10 technology is engineered to enable both low voltage operation and high efficiency.

-Freescale

SMARTMOS10 is the lastest generation of Freescale’s SMARTMOS technology which combines analog components with dense CMOS logic on a single chip which is used in power management applications. The major development in allowing this DC-DC convertor to work was the design of transistors that can turn on with a voltage of just 0.32V. The convertor operates at a frequency of 1MHz, which drastically reduces the size of the chip.

Applications for this device are not just limited to photovoltaic cells however. Every form of energy harvesting technology from bioelectric generators to thermopiles can take advantage of this new convertor.