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SISFORMA: Journal of Information Systems (e-Journal) Vol. 5 No. 1 May 2018: 28 - 34 28
p ISSN 2355-8253 | e ISSN 2442-7888 | DOI 10.24167/sisforma
Basic Design of A Charging Circuit for Mobile Phone
Using Solar Panel
LianlyRompis
UniversitasKatolik De La Salle Manado
KombosKairagi I Manado, Sulawesi Utara - Indonesia
lrompis@unikadelasalle.ac.id
Julie Rante
UniversitasKatolik De La Salle Manado
KombosKairagi I Manado, Sulawesi Utara - Indonesia
jrante@unikadelasalle.ac.id
Abstract—Currently the learning process
cannot be separated from the exchange of
digital information and online interaction.
Initially using computer technology and
internet, then growing with the existence
of mobile phone technology. The demand
of Digital Learning for efficient and
environmentally friendly energy is very
important and urgent because of the
increasingly expensive price of fuel and
the high utilization of mobile phones as a
learning tool for the society. Our
government itself supports the discoveries,
researches, and technologies that use
renewable energy such as energy from
sunlight and biomass energy. The city of
Manado which located in North Sulawesi
province has a good hot climate every year
and a fairly high solar energy. This is very
good if it can be used as a source of energy
for certain equipment such as mobile
phones. This paper describes a basic
research that has been done where the
energy of sunlight becomes alternative
energy to charge a mobile phone. The
research method is literature study,
theory comparison, block diagram design,
assembly, and testing. The results
obtained give hope that in the future there
are opportunities to develop further
research and design a solar energy source
for mobile phones charging, by using solar
cells that have specific current and voltage
specification.
Keywords—charging circuit,mobile phone
technology, digital learning, solar energy,
solar cell
I. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Reason for Research
Introduction contains background research,
the purpose of research, review studies that
have been conducted, the purpose of the A
learning process is a part of academic world
and one of the essential role in education.
Nowadays the learning process cannot be
separated from digital information exchanges
and online interactions. Using computer
technology and internet, sources of teaching
materials and assignments can be upload to a
cloud server that will be easier for teachers,
lecturers, and students to communicate and
put a flexible time for learning.
Digital technology development also brings
wireless and cellular technology which is
mobile and more efficient for learning
anywhere through a smart device called
mobile phone. The demand of Digital
Learning for efficient and environmentally
friendly energy becomes very important and
urgent because of the increasingly expensive
price of fuel and the high utilization of
mobile phones as a learning tool for the
society. Indonesian government since
millennium year has supported the
discoveries, researches, and technology
innovations that use renewable energy such
as energy from sunlight and biomass energy.
Basic Design of A Charging Circuit for Mobile Phone Using Solar Panel
SISFORMA: Journal of Information Systems (e-Journal) Vol. 5 No. 1 May 2018: 28 - 34 29
p ISSN 2355-8253 | e ISSN 2442-7888 | DOI 10.24167/sisforma
In relation to these main reasons and because
our city of Manado which located in North
Sulawesi province has a good hot climate
every year and a fairly high solar energy, a
basic research and feasibility study has been
conducted for the possibility of using
sunlight energy in certain equipment such as
mobile phones.
1.2 Scope of Problem
Our research is a basic research to derive a
basic design of a charging circuit for mobile
phone, using solar panel. Many practitioners
have created their own charging circuit and it
works well, but through this research we
would like to share from its scientific body
of knowledge, from our scientific points of
view. Hopefully this will become one of the
best references for academicians and
students in making a solar panel based
mobile phone charging circuit, and further
improvements can be taken for good.
II. LITERATUR REVIEW
2.1 Previous Studies
Previous studies have been conducted with
the help of our students. The main purpose
was to learn about solar panel module and
how to measure its supply voltage, and then
came to an idea for charging a mobile phone
related to energy issue that arrives
importantly for its availability and
sustainability. The results of measurement
varied between 5 to 7 DC Volt, depends on
the intense of the sunlight. For another
experiment, a series of Light Emitting
Diodes (LED) has been connected to the
output of solar panel, and all the LEDs are
light up.
Because mobile phone battery needs a
charge voltage around 4 – 5 DC Volt, and
our solar panel reaches 7 DC Volt when the
intense of sunlight is highest, so there should
be another module or circuit being connected
to the solar panel so it can output voltage and
current that match mobile phone battery
specification. Actually, when a Samsung
mobile phone was connected directly to the
solar panel during previous research, nothing
happened except slow charging as the effect
of low current. But for the battery durability
and lifelong usable, it is necessary to have a
research to find out about a basic design for
charging circuit [1].
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.2.1 Solar Cell Panel
A solar cell panel is an energy panel based
on the energy of sunlight. A solar panel
consists of solar cells which is arranged in a
series or parallel connection that will
determine its output voltage and also the
output current. Each solar cell usually
generates a voltage of 0.45 – 0.5 DC Volt
and an electric current of 0.1 A upon
receiving a bright light beam. As with the
battery solar cells assembled in series will
increase the voltage while the solar cells in
parallel will increase the current, as shown in
figure 2.1 and figure 2.2. [2][3][4][5][[6]
Fig.2.1. Solar Cell in Serial Circuit
(teknikelektronika.com, 2017)
Fig.2.2. Solar Cell in Parallel Circuit
(teknikelektronika.com, 2017)
2.2.2 Secondary Battery
Secondary Battery is a rechargeable
battery.This battery generates electric current
using the same principle as primary battery,
but chemical reactions can be reversible.
When thisbattery is in charging process
(connected to energy source), the electrons
will flow from positive to negative, and
when the battery is in discharging process
(connected to a load), the electrons will flow
from negative to positive. The types of
rechargeable batteries we often find include
Basic Design of A Charging Circuit for Mobile Phone Using Solar Panel
SISFORMA: Journal of Information Systems (e-Journal) Vol. 5 No. 1 May 2018: 28 - 34 30
p ISSN 2355-8253 | e ISSN 2442-7888 | DOI 10.24167/sisforma
Ni-cd (Nickel-Cadmium) Ni-MH (Nickel-
Metal Hydride) and Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion)
batteries, as shown in figure 2.3.
2.2.3 Ni-Cd (Nickel-Cadmium) Battery
Ni-Cd (Nickel-Cadmium) batteries use
Nickel Oxide Hydroxide and Metallic
Cadmium as an electrolyte material. This
battery able to operate in wide temperature
and long cycles. However, this battery also
contains 15% toxic, Carcinogenic Cadmium,
that could be harm for human life and
environment. Currently, the use and
distribution of this battery in the marketplace
has been prohibited by European Union
under the “Directive 2006/66/EC”
regulation.
2.2.4Ni-MH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) Battery
Ni-MH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries
have a 30% higher capacity compared to Ni-
Cd Batteries. Ni-MH batteries can be
recharged up to hundreds of times so that it
can save money on battery purchases. Ni-
MH batteries are widely used in Camera and
Radio Communication. Although they do
not have a cadmium hazardous substance,
these batteries still contain few harmful
substances that can damage human health
and the environment so it needs to be
recycled and should not be disposed of in
any place.
2.2.5Li-Ion Battery (Lithium-Ion)
Li-Ion Batteries are widely used in
portable electronic devices such as digital
camera, mobile phone, and laptop. These
batteries have higher cycle endurance and
also 30% lighter as well as providing a
higher capacity of about 30% when
compared to Ni-MH batteries. Li-Ion
batteries are more environmentally friendly
because do not contain harmful substances
Cadmium, but still contain little harmful
substances that can damage human health
and the environment so it needs to be
recycled and should not be removed in any
place.
Fig.2.3. Secondary Batteries
(teknikelektronika.com, 2017)
2.2.6DC to DCConverter
A DC to DC converter is an electronic
circuit built for direct current input voltage
conversion. The input voltage can be
converted into a lower DC voltage, or a
higher DC voltage, sets by a step-down
transformer or a step-up transformer in the
circuit. We can see the parts of this converter
from the diagram shown in figure 2.4.
Fig. 2.4. DC to DC Converter Block
Diagram
2.2.7Voltage Regulator
A voltage regulator is an electronic
Integrated Circuit (IC) component used for
regulating a positive or negative direct
current voltage. The most common voltage
regulator ICs are 78XX and 79XX. The XX
value is the desired output voltage value, for
example 7805 will output a voltage of 5
Volts and 7905 will output a voltage of -5
Volts. Minimum supply voltages are 7 DCV
or -25 DCV, maximum supply voltages are
40 DCV or -7 DCV, voltage regulation type
is linear, and the maximum output equals to
Basic Design of A Charging Circuit for Mobile Phone Using Solar Panel
SISFORMA: Journal of Information Systems (e-Journal) Vol. 5 No. 1 May 2018: 28 - 34 31
p ISSN 2355-8253 | e ISSN 2442-7888 | DOI 10.24167/sisforma
1 Ampere [7]. Figure 2.5 shows the model of
voltage regulator ICs.
Figure 2.5. Voltage Regulator IC
(1= input, 2 = ground, 3 = output)
III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Several methods are taken for this basic
research:
3.1 Literature Study
Before starting this research, the author
started collecting references and information
related to solar panel basic concept and
mobile phone charging circuits.
3.2 Theory Comparison
A theory comparison has been conducted to
get the right information and have best
references for the research.
3.3 Choose Sample
This research use 2 (two) solar panel as a
sampling, both have 5 DCV output but
packed in different model or panel (the other
one already equipped with rechargeable
battery).
3.4 Select Instrument
For measurement, an analog multimeter and
a digital multimeter is used to get accurate
results and can make a comparison. A DC to
DC converter with voltmeter module is also
helpful in getting accurate observation
results.
3.5 Derive Tables for Observations and
Measurements
The next step that is very important for data
analysis is derives tables that required for
observations and measurements. These tables
should be in accordance with sampling and
instrument being used.
3.6 Block Diagram Design
A sketch of block diagram has been made to
bring clearly understanding upon the input,
process, and output of a charging circuit.
3.7 Assembly and Testing
The last step is to assembly and conduct
testing. A conclusion is made which
summaries the research output that points out
to research aim, whether already appropriate
or not.
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Solar Cell Panel Module
A solar cell panel module is constructed into
two blocks; each block has several solar cells
that are connected to give an output of 5 DC
Volt, as shown in figure 4.1. Their
specifications are given in table 4.1 and table
4.2.
Fig. 4.1.Solar Cell Panel Module
Table 4.1. Specification of the Solar Cell Panel
Module A
Parameter Range/Setting
Voltage Output 5 Volt
Current Output 240 mA
Power Output 1,2 Watt
Size 11 x 6.9 x 0.3 cm
78X 79X
123
Basic Design of A Charging Circuit for Mobile Phone Using Solar Panel
SISFORMA: Journal of Information Systems (e-Journal) Vol. 5 No. 1 May 2018: 28 - 34 32
p ISSN 2355-8253 | e ISSN 2442-7888 | DOI 10.24167/sisforma
Table 4.1. Specification of the Solar Cell Panel
Module B (equipped with Li-polymer
Battery 2600 mA)
Parameter Range/Setting
Voltage Output 5 Volt
Current Output 500 mA
Power Output 0,8 Watt
Size 10 x 6 x 0.3 cm
Input to Mobile Phone 4.5V 800 mA
4.2Adjustable DC-DC Step Up Step Down
with Voltmeter Module
An adjustable DC-DC Step Up Step Down
LM2577 LM 2596 with Voltmeter module
(figure 4.2) is a DC-DC converter module
which convert input voltage into lower or
higher output voltage, depends on the output
setting where IC Step Down (LM 2596) and
Step Up IC (LM 2577) will adjust to each
other. This module is equipped with
7-segments display and its specification is
shown in table 4.3.
Fig.4.2. Adjustable DC-DC Step Up Step Down
with Voltmeter Module
Table 4.3. Specification of the Adjustable DC-DC
Step Up Step Down Module
Table 4.4. Initial Observations and Measurements
taken in Telecommunication Laboratory and
at the top of the university’s building.
Note :outputs are measured using analog/digital
multimeter and 7-segments display
Table 4.5. Observations and Measurements when
connected to a Mobile Phone
Note :data was taken at 10.46 am, a little cloudy but
clear blue sky. Type of battery: Samsung Li-ion
battery. Nominal voltage 3.85 VDC/11.55 Wh.
Charge voltage 4.4 VDC/3000 mAh. Input from
charging circuit 4.8 Volt
Basic Design of A Charging Circuit for Mobile Phone Using Solar Panel
SISFORMA: Journal of Information Systems (e-Journal) Vol. 5 No. 1 May 2018: 28 - 34 33
p ISSN 2355-8253 | e ISSN 2442-7888 | DOI 10.24167/sisforma
Table 4.6. Observations and Measurements when
connected to a Mobile Phone
Note :Data was taken at 12.11 – 14.26 pm, a little bit
cloudy, sometimes the sun shines brightly and
sometimes it only partially shines. Output voltage
from solar panel varies between 2.98 – 4.22 DC Volt,
and the output current varies between 0.09 – 0.16 A.
Fig.4.3. A Mobile Charging Circuit built for
Observations and Measurements
From all the observations and measurements
result shown in table 4.3 to table 4.6, we can
conclude that a mobile phone needs higher
current to have a faster charging, also added
with DC-DC converter for stepping down the
output voltage from solar panel if it’s too
higher, so it will meet the specification of
battery charge voltage. Voltage regulator can
be used for getting a constant and stabilize
input voltage for mobile phone, besides
adding an appropriate diode at solar panel so
it will block the reverse flow of electrons
from the battery [8][9][10].
Because this charging circuit works with
solar panel and, the sun only shows up half
of the day, some people usually like to add a
rechargeable battery so it can store energy
and doing charging at night. Based on this
study and conclusion, a basic design for a
mobile charging circuit using solar panel can
be derived in Figure 4.4.
Fig.4.4. Basic Design for Mobile Phone Charging
Circuit using Solar Panel
Further research and improvements can be
done for analyzing parameters, components,
and reliability of this basic charging circuit,
to have a solution for better re-design.
V. CONCLUSIONS
From the result, it can beconcluded that a
basic circuit of a charging circuit for mobile
phone using alternative energy from the sun
is possible to be designedusinga DC-DC
converter and voltage regulator, with
appropriate parameters and measurements. It
is necessary to have a good charging and
raise the battery percentage efficiently, so the
output needs higher current with
recommended charging voltage. Input
voltage which does not exceed a battery
charge voltage is more desirable. The higher
the current, the better and faster the charging
will be, while low voltage and lower current
only make the charging slows down or even
stop working. More current can be obtained
by constructing an array of two or more solar
panel into a form of parallel circuit, that will
keep maintaining the value of voltage.
This is a basic design research that need
further improvement in measurements and
high stability for its voltage and current
Basic Design of A Charging Circuit for Mobile Phone Using Solar Panel
SISFORMA: Journal of Information Systems (e-Journal) Vol. 5 No. 1 May 2018: 28 - 34 34
p ISSN 2355-8253 | e ISSN 2442-7888 | DOI 10.24167/sisforma
outputs, in order to obtain a good and
optimal charging for a mobile phone.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Part of the research is funded by our
institution, UniversitasKatolik De La Salle
Manado. Thank you for the support, and also
contributions from our students
(VicklyZachawerus and IdrionoTado).
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