FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a solar micro-inverter and more particularly, to a processing system used in the solar micro-inverter and any other similar system requiring monitoring and control of analog signals as well as communicating to a remote control center.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A Conventional strings or central inverter device comprises multiple solar panels that are connected to a centralized inverter system. Solar panels are wired in series, creating a PV array, that is then connected to a string or a central inverter that converts the direct current (DC) from the PV array into an alternating current (AC). However, the performance of these conventional central inverter devices suffer from a number of disadvantages such as sub-optimal energy harvest, safety concern for DC wiring, short life, complex array design and installation, and difficulty in determining the location of performance problems.

On the contrary, a solar micro-inverter is a system that converts direct current (DC) from a single solar panel to an alternating current (AC). The electric power from several micro-inverters is combined and fed into an existing electrical grid. A solar micro-inverter offers various advantages over the conventional strings or central inverter systems. The main advantage is that even small amount of shading, debris or snow line in any one solar panel, or a panel failure do not disproportionately reduce the output of the entire array. Each micro-inverter obtains optimum power by performing maximum power point tracking for its connected panel.

The micro-inverters are located near the panel. The micro-inverters are equipped with a communication unit that enables monitoring the performance of each panel and controlling the micro-inverter for maintenance and troubleshooting purposes. The communication is typically performed using a powerline communication, a cellular modem or a near range wireless modem. The micro-inverter controller is coupled to the powerline communication, a cellular modem or a wireless modem using a suitable interface. The problem associated with this micro-inverter modem arrangement is that it includes redundant processing units optimized for very specific functions such as analog controller, modem and even an additional processor for Arc detection as a safety precaution, ultimately resulting in increased cost.

In light of the foregoing discussion, an improved micro-inverter arrangement is desirable whereby a single processor can implement the modem function as well as the micro-inverter control and any other computational function.

Furthermore, a single chip microprocessor is desirable that can perform the communication function as well as analog signal monitoring and controlling functionality. The single chip microprocessor can server the purposed of a general purpose processor or controller that provides communication as well as analog signal control such as voltage and/or current that coincides in one system or application.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a general purpose single chip controller that imparts controlling, monitoring and communication functionality to a device. The single chip controller comprising: an analog sub-system to receive analog input signals from one or more sensors; a controller sub-system to process the analog input signals and generating instructions for controlling the device; a communication means to establish the connectivity and communication with a remote gateway. The general purpose single chip controller further comprises a module to determine a communication standard for establishing connectivity and communication with the remote gateway. The analog signal may comprise a voltage signal and/or a current signal. The single chip controller can work as a LED controller, a battery charging controller or a motor controller. The one or more sensor measure controlling parameters and sends the data to the general purpose single chip controller, said general purpose single chip controller is programmed to process the data coming from said one or more sensors in order to perform the control and monitoring function and to implement a modem for establishing connectivity with the remote gateway. The communication with the remote gateway comprises wireless standard which may include Bluetooth, Zigbee, IEEE802.15.4, IEEE802.11, 3G, 4G, LTE and the like. The communication means may comprise a wireless modem and/or a powerline communication modem. The controller sub-system also comprises a pulse width modulating controller that supports duty cycle resolution to enable more control over the “smoothness” of the analog signal and reduce sample-to-output delay.

