Techtium's TEC103 -- world’s first dedicated Li-Ion solar charging IC with record breaking efficiency

TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL: Techtium Ltd., a fabless mixed-signal semiconductor company specialized in battery and power management ICs, unveiled the TEC103 solar application.

This is said to be a breakthrough power conversion solution for portable solar applications such as mobile phones, handheld solar chargers, Bluetooth headsets and Bluetooth car-kits.

The TEC103 IC for solar applications boosts a single PV cell voltage (from 0.4-0.5 VDC) to Li-Ion voltage and controls the device’s single cell Li-Ion battery charging.

This IC utilizes a synchronous DC-DC boost converter and optimal Li-Ion charge controller to reach conversion efficiencies of up to 85 percent of the solar PV power transferred to the Li-Ion battery.

Techtium’s TEC103 solar solution works at the single PV cell maximum power point and provides up to 2x more power compared to alternatives like multi-cell solar modules and up-to 10x more power can be supplied in partly shaded conditions, dramatically raising the performance while offering cost effective solutions.

Current charging solutions typically require multiple solar cells in series, which drives up cost, reduces efficiency, and increases sensitivity to shading losses and PV array element mismatches.

“We see no single IC currently available combining a ultra-low voltage input with up to 85 percent power conversion efficiency and Li-Ion charge control in a single chip like the TEC103,” said Daniel Breiting, Technical Marketing Director of Techtium.

“Techtium is already shipping its ICs in products that incorporate solar charging. The TEC103 solar solution improves efficiency and reduces costs of innovative solar powered mobile applications.”

The exceptional performance and efficiency of Techtium’s TEC103 solar solution is achieved through a combination of system engineering excellence and innovative mixed-signal IC design that meets the highest design objectives of cost and performance.