SolarMagic ICs

National Semiconductor Corp.'s SolarMagicintegrated circuits (ICs) are developed to meet photovoltaic renewableenergy-grade qualification requirements. Each IC is engineered fordemanding rooftop environments that range from extreme cold to severe heat, andeach passes rigorous testing with reliability specific to solar requirements.In addition, the ICs have long-term operation, developed to meet and exceed the25-year life expectancy of photovoltaic modules. SolarMagic ICs increase energyharvest, reduce cost per kW-hr and improve safety in junction boxes and othertypes of enclosures. Used independently, the ICs provide high voltage and highcurrent gate drive for microinverter or power optimizer designs. The new ICsare well suited for a variety of photovoltaic electronic applications,including those found in microinverters, power optimizers, charge controllersand panel safety systems.

Click herefor a full set of reference designs and application notes to help develop acomplete photovoltaic system. Each reference design includes an evaluationboard, bill of materials and schematic.

Technical Features New SolarMagic ICs:
MPPT Controllers: For distributed PV poweroptimization applications providing maximum power point tracking (MPPT),National offers the SM72441 and SM72442 programmable MPPT controllers.Features include voltage and current diagnostics, integrated four switchbuck-boost converter control, overvoltage/overcurrent protection and an I²Cinterface.

Gate Drivers: For power processing circuitry inpower optimizers, microinverters and charge controllers, National offers the SM72295 full-bridge and SM72482 dual 5A compound gatedrivers. The drivers can drive four discrete MOSFETS in afull-bridge configuration and each includes a high side overcurrent senseamplifier with high sink and source current capabilities.

Voltage Regulators: For a variety of bias railapplications used in power optimizers, microinverters and charge controllers,National offers the SM72485 switching regulator withconstant-on-time technology that enables an operating range up to 100V at highconversion efficiency. National also offers the SM72238 5V low drop out (LDO) regulatorfor lower power.

Sensing and Detection: National offers avariety of products for ancillary circuits commonly found in distributed PVpower optimization and battery charging applications for protection, sensing,supervisory and control. The SM72240 is a supervisory resetcircuit. The SM72375 is a dual micropower rail-to-railinput CMOS comparator. The SM72480 is a preset temperature switchand sensor. The SM72501 precision CMOS, RRIO, widesupply range amplifier provides low offset voltage along with low input biascurrent.

SolarMagic ICs