January 2012

Doc ID 17588 Rev 3

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19

SPV1020

Interleaved DC-DC boost converter with built-in MPPT algorithm

Features

0.2% accuracy

protection

improved efficiency at low solar radiation

Applications

Description

The SPV1020 is a monolithic 4-phase interleaved

DC-DC boost converter designed to maximize the

power generated by photovoltaic panels

independent of temperature and amount of solar

radiation.

Optimization of the power conversion is obtained

with embedded logic which performs the MPPT

(max. power point tracking) algorithm on the PV

cells connected to the converter.

One or more converters can be housed in the

connection box of the PV panels, replacing the

bypass diodes. As the maximum power point is

locally computed, the efficiency at system level is

higher than that of conventional topologies, where

the MPP is computed in the main centralized

inverter.

For a cost effective application solution and to

minimize size, the SPV1020 embeds Power

MOSFETs for active switches and synchronous

rectifiers, minimizing the number of external

devices. In addition, the 4-phase interleaved

topology of the DC-DC converter obviates the

need to use electrolytic capacitors, which may

severely limit system lifetime.

The SPV1020 operates at fixed frequency in

PWM mode, where the duty cycle is controlled by

the embedded logic running a Perturb&Observe

MPPT algorithm. The switching frequency,

internally generated and set by default at 100

kHz, is externally adjustable from 50 kHz to 200

kHz, while the duty cycle can range from 5% to

90% with a step of 0.2%.

The safety of the application is guaranteed by

stopping the drivers in the case of output

overvoltage or overtemperature.

Multiple SPV1020s can be used in a panel array

with one SPV1020 per panel. Panels can be

connected in series, in parallel, or series/parallel

combinations.

Table 1.

Device summary

Order codes

Package

Packaging

SPV1020

PowerSSO-36

Tube

PowerSSO-36

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