Abstract: A system includes a plurality of power modules connected in series between two input terminals of an inverter, a plurality of local controllers coupled to their respective power modules, wherein a first local controller of the plurality of local controllers is coupled to a first power module comprising a first solar panel, a first capacitor and a first power optimizer, and wherein the first local controller is configured to enable the first power optimizer to switch among a buck mode, a boost mode and a pass-through mode based upon a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) current of the first solar panel, and a central controller coupled to the inverter, wherein the central controller is configured to regulate an input voltage of the inverter.

Abstract: System, device and method for exporting power are provided including at least one AC optimizer with plurality of DC inputs each connecting with respective one of plurality of DC sources, and independent maximum power point tracking (MPPT) performed for each respective DC source to extract power from each DC source for output and coupling to AC grid. When multiple AC optimizers are employed, with each AC optimizer having multiple DC inputs, each DC input can be connected to PV module with independent MPPT function. Since, each AC optimizer can serve multiple PV modules, significant cost saving and efficiencies can be achieved. Optionally, on PV sub-module level, each of the multiple DC inputs can be used as an independent MPPT channel for a PV sub-module cell string.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) bus voltage from a combined output of a plurality of DC power modules is controlled based on an alternating current (AC) voltage of a power grid. The DC bus voltage tracks the AC grid voltage to provide efficient conversion between the DC power sources and the AC grid, even when the amplitude of the AC grid voltage varies. In one example, a variable reference voltage is generated based on a detected AC grid voltage. The reference voltage increases and decreases in proportion to increases and decreases in the AC grid voltage. In this manner, large differences between the bus voltage and the grid voltage are avoided. By closely tracking the two voltages, efficiency in the modulation index for power conversion can be achieved.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) bus voltage from a combined output of a plurality of DC power modules is controlled based on an alternating current (AC) voltage of a power grid. The DC bus voltage tracks the AC grid voltage to provide efficient conversion between the DC power sources and the AC grid, even when the amplitude of the AC grid voltage varies. In one example, a variable reference voltage is generated based on a detected AC grid voltage. The reference voltage increases and decreases in proportion to increases and decreases in the AC grid voltage. In this manner, large differences between the bus voltage and the grid voltage are avoided. By closely tracking the two voltages, efficiency in the modulation index for power conversion can be achieved.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of power modules connected in series between two input terminals of an inverter, a plurality of local controllers coupled to their respective power modules, wherein a first local controller of the plurality of local controllers is coupled to a first power module comprising a first solar panel, a first capacitor and a first power optimizer, and wherein the first local controller is configured to enable the first power optimizer to switch among a buck mode, a boost mode and a pass-through mode based upon a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) current of the first solar panel, and a central controller coupled to the inverter, wherein the central controller is configured to regulate an input voltage of the inverter.

Abstract: Described herein is a wireless charging system including a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver, where the wireless power receiver is part of a wireless electronic device such as a mobile telephone. The wireless power receiver is used to charge a battery of the wireless electronic device and can include both a closed-loop DC-DC converter, such as a buck charger, and an open-loop DC-DC converter, such as a switched capacitor charger. In addition to an in-band communication channel between the power transmitter and the power receiver, the system also includes an out-of-band communication channel through which the power transmitter and the power receiver can exchange control signals, helping to avoid interference that can occur in the in-band communication channel when using the open-loop DC-DC converter.

Abstract: Described herein are wireless battery charging systems and methods for use therewith. Such a system can include a wireless power receiver (RX) that receives power wirelessly from a wireless power transmitter (TX) and in dependence thereon produces a DC output voltage (Vout). The system can also include a closed-loop charger and an open-loop charger each including a voltage input terminal and a voltage output terminal. The voltage input terminal of each of the chargers accepts the output voltage (Vout) from the wireless power RX. The voltage output terminal of each of the chargers is couplable to a terminal of the battery to be charged. A controller selectively enables one of the closed-loop or open-loop chargers at a time so that during a first set of charging phases the closed-loop charger is used to charge the battery, and during a second set of the charging phases the open-loop charger is used.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a four-switch power converter having input terminals coupled to a power source and output terminals coupled to a capacitor, wherein the capacitor is connected in series with the power source, and a common node of the capacitor and the power source is connected to one input terminal of the four-switch power converter.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus having a wireless power receiver comprising a receiver coil used to receive power wirelessly and to communicate wirelessly. The wireless power receiver outputs power to a bus based on the wirelessly received power. The apparatus has an open-loop DC-DC converter and a linear regulator. The apparatus has a controller configured to enable the open-loop DC-DC converter to use the power on the bus to charge a battery. The controller is further configured to control the linear regulator to stabilize a current in the bus at the output of the wireless power receiver to reduce interference to the wireless communication when using the receiver coil to wirelessly communicate from the wireless power receiver to the transmitter of the power while the open-loop DC-DC converter is being used to charge the battery.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules including at least a first and a second photovoltaic module having outputs connected in series by a bus. A voltage detection circuit detects a bus voltage at an output of the bus, to provide an indicator of detected bus voltage to the first photovoltaic module, and to provide the indicator of detected bus voltage to the second photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A DC to DC voltage converter includes a first voltage converter module configurable to generate a first output at a first output voltage selected from two or more different voltages and a second voltage converter module configurable to generate a second output at a second output voltage selected from two or more different voltages. The first voltage converter module and the second voltage converter module have a common input. A common output combines the first output voltage from the first voltage converter module and the second output voltage from the second voltage converter module.

Abstract: System, device and method for exporting power are provided including at least one AC optimizer with plurality of DC inputs each connecting with respective one of plurality of DC sources, and independent maximum power point tracking (MPPT) performed for each respective DC source to extract power from each DC source for output and coupling to AC grid. When multiple AC optimizers are employed, with each AC optimizer having multiple DC inputs, each DC input can be connected to PV module with independent MPPT function. Since, each AC optimizer can serve multiple PV modules, significant cost saving and efficiencies can be achieved. Optionally, on PV sub-module level, each of the multiple DC inputs can be used as an independent MPPT channel for a PV sub-module cell string.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a four-switch power converter having input terminals coupled to a power source and output terminals coupled to a capacitor, wherein the capacitor is connected in series with the power source, and a common node of the capacitor and the power source is connected to one input terminal of the four-switch power converter.

Abstract: System, device and method for exporting power are provided including at least one AC optimizer with plurality of DC inputs each connecting with respective one of plurality of DC sources, and independent maximum power point tracking (MPPT) performed for each respective DC source to extract power from each DC source for output and coupling to AC grid. When multiple AC optimizers are employed, with each AC optimizer having multiple DC inputs, each DC input can be connected to PV module with independent MPPT function. Since, each AC optimizer can serve multiple PV modules, significant cost saving and efficiencies can be achieved. Optionally, on PV sub-module level, each of the multiple DC inputs can be used as an independent MPPT channel for a PV sub-module cell string.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to technology for providing power, voltage, and/or current from a combination of photovoltaic modules. In one aspect, a system has central power optimizer, which is located between a group of distributed power optimizers and a solar inverter. Each distributed power optimizer may be connected to the DC output of one photovoltaic modules, and may be used to regulate the power output of the photovoltaic module. The combined DC voltages of the distributed power optimizers may be provided to the input of the central power optimizer.

Abstract: Described herein is a wireless charging system including a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver, where the wireless power receiver is part of a wireless electronic device such as a mobile telephone. The wireless power receiver is used to charge a battery of the wireless electronic device and can include both a closed-loop DC-DC converter, such as a buck charger, and an open-loop DC-DC converter, such as a switched capacitor charger. In addition to an in-band communication channel between the power transmitter and the power receiver, the system also includes an out-of-band communication channel through which the power transmitter and the power receiver can exchange control signals, helping to avoid interference that can occur in the in-band communication channel when using the open-loop DC-DC converter.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) bus voltage from a combined output of a plurality of DC power modules is controlled based on an alternating current (AC) voltage of a power grid. The DC bus voltage tracks the AC grid voltage to provide efficient conversion between the DC power sources and the AC grid, even when the amplitude of the AC grid voltage varies. In one example, a variable reference voltage is generated based on a detected AC grid voltage. The reference voltage increases and decreases in proportion to increases and decreases in the AC grid voltage. In this manner, large differences between the bus voltage and the grid voltage are avoided. By closely tracking the two voltages, efficiency in the modulation index for power conversion can be achieved.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus having a wireless power receiver comprising a receiver coil used to receive power wirelessly and to communicate wirelessly. The wireless power receiver outputs power to a bus based on the wirelessly received power. The apparatus has an open-loop DC-DC converter and a linear regulator. The apparatus has a controller configured to enable the open-loop DC-DC converter to use the power on the bus to charge a battery. The controller is further configured to control the linear regulator to stabilize a current in the bus at the output of the wireless power receiver to reduce interference to the wireless communication when using the receiver coil to wirelessly communicate from the wireless power receiver to the transmitter of the power while the open-loop DC-DC converter is being used to charge the battery.

Abstract: Described herein are wireless battery charging systems and methods for use therewith. Such a system can include a wireless power receiver (RX) that receives power wirelessly from a wireless power transmitter (TX) and in dependence thereon produces a DC output voltage (Vout). The system can also include a closed-loop charger and an open-loop charger each including a voltage input terminal and a voltage output terminal. The voltage input terminal of each of the chargers accepts the output voltage (Vout) from the wireless power RX. The voltage output terminal of each of the chargers is couplable to a terminal of the battery to be charged. A controller selectively enables one of the closed-loop or open-loop chargers at a time so that during a first set of charging phases the closed-loop charger is used to charge the battery, and during a second set of the charging phases the open-loop charger is used.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus that includes a first power converter stage connected to a first side of a first transformer, and a second power converter stage connected to a first side of a second transformer. The apparatus further includes an interleaved multi-bridge circuit connected to the second side of the first transformer and to the second side of the second transformer. The apparatus further includes a controller that is configured to operate the interleaved multi-bridge circuit in a parallel mode in which the second sides of the first and second transformers are in parallel at a DC terminal of the interleaved multi-bridge circuit and in a series mode in which the second sides of the first and second transformers are in series at the DC terminal.