**LT8491EUKJ#PBF: A High-Performance 80V Buck-Boost Battery Charger IC with MPPT**

The **LT8491EUKJ#PBF** from Analog Devices represents a pinnacle of integration and performance in power management, specifically engineered for sophisticated solar charging and battery management applications. This monolithic buck-boost switching regulator controller is designed to handle a wide input voltage range from 6V to 80V, making it exceptionally versatile for various renewable energy and automotive systems. Its most distinguished feature is the built-in **Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)** algorithm, which is critical for maximizing energy harvest from photovoltaic (PV) panels under varying environmental conditions.

At the core of the LT8491's functionality is its unique **quadratic MPPT control loop**. Unlike simpler fractional V_OC methods, this advanced algorithm continuously dithers the operating point to dynamically find and lock onto the true maximum power point of a solar panel. This ensures that the absolute maximum available energy is extracted and transferred to the battery, significantly improving system efficiency, especially during periods of changing irradiance or temperature.

The IC's **4-switch synchronous buck-boost topology** provides unparalleled flexibility. It can seamlessly step-up (boost), step-down (buck), or pass through input voltage to accurately regulate the output for charging batteries whose voltage may be above, below, or equal to the panel's instantaneous voltage. This is essential for charging battery stacks (e.g., 12V, 24V, 48V) from a single solar panel whose output varies widely. The controller drives external N-channel MOSFETs and can deliver charging currents programmable up to 20A, supporting lead-acid, Li-ion, and LiFePO4 batteries with user-selectable and externally programmable charging profiles (constant-current, constant-voltage, float, and temperature-compensated).

Further enhancing its performance is a highly accurate (98.5% typical) **input current regulation loop**. This allows the user to set a maximum available current from the solar panel, preventing it from being overloaded and ensuring stable operation. Comprehensive protection features are integrated, including input UV/OV, battery UV/OV, and temperature monitoring, making systems robust and reliable.

**ICGOODFIND Summary**: The LT8491EUKJ#PBF is a highly integrated, feature-rich monolithic solution that simplifies the design of high-efficiency, high-power solar charging systems. Its sophisticated built-in MPPT, wide operating range, and buck-boost capability make it an exceptional choice for maximizing energy harvest from solar panels in demanding off-grid and automotive applications.

**Keywords**: **MPPT**, **Buck-Boost Charger**, **80V Operating Voltage**, **Solar Energy Harvesting**, **Battery Management**