Hello, I want to build a circuit that measure the IV curve of a solar cell. The solar cells are new concept and the aim is measure the performance of the cells (measuring the IV curve) in space. I am planning to use MSP340 Microcontroller. The first draft of my circuit design (not yet the final version and recommendations are welcomed) is to control a Precision Current Sink (PCS) using one of the MSP340 boards. Basically, the PCS will apply voltage across the cell, and sweep over the whole IV curve. Therefore, the MSP340 will control the applied voltage and the sweeping process. Once a solar irradiance strike the cell, a current will be generated at a given voltage data point. I will also have a temperature sensor, so that my final reading will be I - V - T. The generated current will flow over a Precision Instrumentation Amplifier (PIA), and it will read the current in an analog form. To digitize it, I will need a ADC. The digitized reading through the PIA will be sent to the on board computer using a Controller Area Network (CAN). The onboard computer will then send the data ( digitized reading of the current, voltage across the cell, and the temperature) to earth. My questions are as follow: I know that some MSPs has an ADC. Do I need an external ADC for my application? Which MSP fits my application? Any other recommendations to perform the tasks (measuring the IV curve of a solar cell and measuring the corresponding cells temperature in the space environment) other than the above design description? As mentioned above, I will use a PSC, PIA, ADC and a CAN along with the MSP340. Do you think this will be sufficient? Do I need to have a microprocessor? if so, for what purpose? Thank you for your time Ghanim
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