Part Number:SM72442
Hi, I'm using SM72442 to supply power to a battery charger (LTC4020). My circuit has 6 different solar panels so I used one SM72442 for each one, but now I'm testing just one of them. You can see the schematic and the PCB design attached.
My device is always in panel mode (I've checked PM out pin and I'm getting the square waveform). I'm testing wit a solar array simulator as input (Agilent E4350B) and a DC electronic load (Maynuo M970), I've tried with different solar array curves (Voc=2.65V , Vmp=2.35V, Isc=0.4613A, Imp=0.4456A and Voc= 4.71V, Vmp=4.1V, Isc=0.474A, Imp= 0.456A); I've tried with different modes of the load (constant current, constant power), I've tried changing load power, changing solar array curve, and only got it into MPPT mode twice, once for each curve. I verified the outputs for the H-bridge driver en the second curve case and it was working in Boost mode. In every cases, the power at the output is way below MPP of the set curve. In both cases, when I reduced the load current below the 125mA threshold, it began the PM mode but then it didn't coma back to MPPT mode even if I increase the current again or change the input curve. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong?
I also have some questions about theoretical behavior of the SM72442:
1) The voltage set in A0 is the maximum output voltage, as it is written in the datasheet, or is it the initial output voltage set and then it can then be changed through the I2C communication, as is written in AN-2121?
2) Through pin A2, one can set the exiting panel mode power variation. Is this Input power variation or output power variation? I've tried both and my controller still in panel mode.
3) Is the start-up circuitry shown in Figure 9 of AN-2121 always required when panel voltage is lower than output voltage? I've set my maximum output voltage (trough A0) to 55V. It was intended actually to be a maximum output voltage limitation, not a regulated voltage at the output. But if it is the set voltage at the output, maybe that is why my design is not working well, I don't have the start up circuitry.
Thank you in advance for any comment on this issue.