Methods and apparatuses for operating devices with solar power

摘要

Solar power tracking techniques are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, a solar power tracking apparatus includes, but is not limited to, a voltage converter and a controller coupled to the voltage converter. The voltage converter includes an input capable of being coupled to a solar power source and an output capable of being coupled to an electronic load, such as, for example, a portable electronic device. The voltage converter is configured to monitor or detect an amount of power drawn by the electronic load at the output of the voltage converter. In response to the monitored power drawn, the controller is configured to control the voltage converter to reduce amount of power to be drawn subsequently if the monitored amount of power exceeds a predetermined threshold. As a result, the output voltage from the solar power source is maintained within a predetermined range. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

主权项

1. A method for operating a portable electronic device with solar power, comprising:
generating regulated power via a voltage converter to provide a first power to power a portable electronic device based on solar power derived from a solar power source; monitoring an average current drawn at an output of the voltage converter by the portable electronic device, the average current being proportional to the power drawn at the output of the voltage converter by the portable electronic device; and controlling, by a controller, the voltage converter to adjust further regulated power to the portable electronic device based on the monitored average current, wherein the controlling includes:
setting, by the controller, a voltage operating point for an output voltage of the solar power source in view of the monitored average current, wherein the controller sets the voltage operating point in a predetermined stability range of a power distribution curve of the solar power source, and wherein the power distribution curve is based on voltage and current characteristics of one or more solar cells of the solar power source, andgenerating, by the controller, a control signal to control the voltage converter to change the first power to a second power such that the power drawn from the solar power source is adjusted, wherein the controller generates the control signal to maintain the output voltage of the solar power source at or above the voltage operating point when the voltage converter changes the first power to the second power.