Design and Implementation of a MPPT circuit for a Solar UAV

Author

Murdoch, C.S. ; Reynoso, S.N.

Author_Institution

Inst. Univ. Aeronautico, Cordoba, Argentina

Volume

11

Issue

1

fYear

2013

fDate

Feb. 2013

Firstpage

108

Lastpage

111

Abstract

This paper presents a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) circuit for an Unmanned Air Vehicle. The design of the MPPT is proposed utilizing a boost-converter topology. The power of the photovoltaic cells is monitored by a closed-loop microcontroller based control system, and the PWM signal of the boost converter continuously adjusted to extract maximum power. The MPPT is used to charge the Lithium-ion Polymer battery and feed the electrical load of the unmanned aircraft.

Keywords

aircraft power systems; maximum power point trackers; remotely operated vehicles; solar cells; solar powered vehicles; Lithium-ion aircraft; MPPT circuit design; MPPT circuit implementation; PWM signal; boost-converter topology; closed-loop microcontroller based control system; electrical load; lithium-ion polymer battery; maximum power point tracking circuit; photovoltaic cells; solar UAV; unmanned air vehicle; Control systems; Inductors; MOSFET; Maximum power point trackers; Photovoltaic cells; Pulse width modulation; Unmanned aerial vehicles; MPPT; Photovoltaic Cells; UAV;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Latin America Transactions, IEEE (Revista IEEE America Latina)

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1548-0992

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TLA.2013.6502787

Filename

6502787