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I would like to monitor the current and voltage being harvested by a solar panel (models varying from 6V to 18v and current from 340mA to 1A) that is being used to power a mcu (3.3V). The solar panel will be wired to a MPPT buck converter.

I did some research and seems that high-side current shunt monitors ICs would be the best approach. Am I right?

The doubt.. almost all shunt monitor ICs that I've found so far are used to monitor a large Bus voltage and needs a small Reference voltage (those names differs between vendors).

For example, this one from Maxim. It needs a Vcc from 2.5V to 5.5V and monitors a Vin from -0.1V to 28V: shunt from Maxum

Or this one from TI, that monitors a V+ from 2.7V to 26V and requires a Reference Voltage:

shum from TI

I'm not understanding, since the voltage from a solar panel can change how would I provide those two different required input voltages to the shunt monitor? would be necessary to have a small battery just to do this measurement or both can be derived from same source (the solar panel) ?

thanks

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    \$\begingroup\$ Could you link to at least one of the ICs you have been looking at? That way, we know that we are discussing the same thing. \$\endgroup\$
    – pipe
    Commented Sep 23, 2016 at 0:08
  • \$\begingroup\$ To add to Pipe's point, please tell us, approximately, the voltage and current range your system needs to measure. Please update your question, so that we are all discussing the same thing. \$\endgroup\$
    – gbulmer
    Commented Sep 23, 2016 at 0:25
  • \$\begingroup\$ Have a look at these - each links to a relevant page. Some are tutorials with much detail. Some use custom IC, some are discrete. Look at a few of the tutorials and you shoul be well on the way to a solution. \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon ♦
    Commented Sep 23, 2016 at 1:04
  • \$\begingroup\$ Or in text form. || LT1999 but gives general idea. || LTC6101 look at block diagram. || <axim tutorial || MAX4172 look at block diagram. \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon ♦
    Commented Sep 23, 2016 at 1:07
  • \$\begingroup\$ Isn't the reference voltage simply the small voltage drop across the very accurate low resistance shunt? If the shunt were 0.1 ohm, at 1 amp, the voltage drop would be 0.1V. Wouldn't this simply need to be read by an ADC? (obviously adjust your shunt to the appropriate resistance for the expected current range and wattage.) \$\endgroup\$
    – Ryan Griggs
    Commented Sep 23, 2016 at 1:21

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Showing eg Vcc = 2.5V to 5.5V means that the IC will operate correctly from ANY voltage in the 2.5V - 5.5V range.
That is, the voltage range shown for V+ is not REQUIRED - it is allowed. For the TI part the 2.7V to 26V notation means that the IC can operate from a supply voltage of 2.7V to 26V. The output voltage is essentially unchanged by varying V+, except that V+ needs to be >= Vout - see data sheet for details.

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The reference voltage in this example product diagram that you provided is not directly related to the measurement process. The voltage on pin "REF" is the voltage that the output voltage is relative to. This allows the IC to be used eg in a system with an artificially generated ground that is above true ground potential. In most cases you want Vout to be relative to true ground so "REF" is grounded, as shown.

enter image description here

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There are many web examples. Commercial products often contain block diagrams which help greatly in understanding.

A low side circuit is easy to use IF you are able to insert a sensor in the ground lead.
A high side sensor is useful when the ground must be continuous from panel to load.

Essentially high side sensors drop a small voltage across a reference "shunt" of known resistance and use an amplifier to create a ground based amplified.

Have a look at these - each image links to a relevant page. Some are tutorials with much detail. Some use custom ICs, some are discrete. Look at a few of the tutorials and you should be well on the way to a solution. Or in text form.

Examples:

LT1999 but gives general idea.
LTC6101 look at block diagram.
Maxim tutorial
MAX4172 look at block diagram.

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