Germanium Dual-Boost Starts At 260 mV

Focus:

A unregulated boost converter using two germanium transistors, two inductors, and some passives starts up from voltages as low as 260 mV, enabling it to be powered off of solar cells, micro turbines, and partially -depleted batteries. Input voltage is limited to 2 V max.

What you’ll learn:

• How to build a boost converter that starts up from voltages as low as 260 mV
• How to boost the output of a solar cell, micro turbine, partially depleted battery, or energy harvesting power source

Notes:

ED's Ideas For Design

View the Source

Author & Publication:

Clayton B. Grantham, test engineer, National Semiconductor Corp., Electronic Design, May 10 2007

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