An Integrated Approach to Energy Harvester Modeling and Performance Optimization

This paper proposes an integrated approach to energy harvester (EH) modeling and performance optimization where the complete mixed physical-domain EH (micro generator, voltage booster, storage element and load) can be modeled and optimized. We show that electrical equivalent models of the micro generator are inadequate for accurate prediction of the voltage booster’s performance. Through the use of hardware description language (HDL) we demonstrate that modeling the micro generator with analytical equations in the mechanical and magnetic domains provide an accurate model which has been validated in practice. Another key feature of the integrated approach is that it facilitates the incorporation of performance enhanced optimization, which as will be demonstrated is necessary due to the mechanicalelectrical interactions of an EH. A case study of a state-of-the-art vibration-based electromagnetic EH has been presented. We show that performance optimization can increase the energy harvesting rate by about 40%

Lower-order compensation chain threshold-reduction technique for multi-stage voltage multipliers

This paper presents a novel threshold-compensation technique for multi-stage voltage multipliers employed in low power applications such as passive and autonomous wireless sensing nodes (WSNs) powered by energy harvesters. The proposed threshold-reduction technique enables a topological design methodology which, through an optimum control of the trade-off among transistor conductivity and leakage losses, is aimed at maximizing the voltage conversion efficiency (VCE) for a given ac input signal and physical chip area occupation. The conducted simulations positively assert the validity of the proposed design methodology, emphasizing the exploitable design space yielded by the transistor connection scheme in the voltage multiplier chain. An experimental validation and comparison of threshold-compensation techniques was performed, adopting 2N5247 N-channel junction field effect transistors (JFETs) for the realization of the voltage multiplier prototypes. The attained measurements clearly support the effectiveness of the proposed threshold-reduction approach, which can significantly reduce the chip area occupation for a given target output performance and ac input signal

RF Energy Harvesting Wireless Networks: Challenges And Opportunities

Energy harvesting wireless networks is one of the most researched topics in this decade, both in industry and academia, as it can offer self-sustaining sensor networks. With RF energy harvesting (RF-EH) embedded, the sensors can operate for extended periods by harvesting energy from the environment or by receiving it as an Energy signal from a hybrid base station (HBS). Thus, providing sustainable solutions for managing massive numbers of sensor nodes. However, the biggest hurdle of RF energy is the low energy density due to spreading loss. This paper investigates the RF-EH node hardware and design essentials, performance matrices of RF-EH. Power management in energy harvesting nodes is discussed. Furthermore, an information criticality algorithm is proposed for critical and hazardous use cases. Finally, some of the RF-EH applications and the opportunities of 5G technologies for the RF-EH are introduced

Sistemas de recolha de energia sem fios de alta eficiência

Mestrado em Engenharia Eléctrónica e TelecomunicaçõesNuma época em que os avanços tecnológicos se concretizam a um ritmo frenético, verifica-se uma desproporcional evolução das capacidades das baterias, essencialmente nos equipamentos móveis de uso comum. Por outro lado aumentam os dispositivos cuja localização remota torna a manutenção de baterias algo expensiosa e por vezes insustentável, tais como as Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) O intuito deste trabalho prende-se não só com o aumento da eficiência de sistemas de recolha de energia de radiação electromagnética da banda dos 100MHz, como também com a introdução de novos métodos úteis à a sua análise. Paralelamente é ainda proposto um sistema de iluminação alimentado por circuitos de rectificação com um enfoque mais específico e menos relacionado com as suas eficiências. Ao nível dos melhores resultados obtidos para os circuitos de alta eficiência, estes foram alcançados por um circuito rectificador série simples, com valores de eficiência experimental de _ 45% para uma potência de entrada de 5dBm, gerando uma tensão de saída de _ 1:6V . Relativamente aos circuitos desenvolvidos para o sistema de iluminação foi possível, através de um multiplicador de tensão, gerar tensões DC ligeiramente acima de 8V para uma potência de entrada de 10dBm, desta forma conseguindo alimentar uma célula de três LEDs de baixo consumo. Os resultados obtidos destinam-se não apenas a apresentar conclusões inovadoras, mas também a fornecer ferramentas adequadas a posteriores desenvolvimentos de sistemas similares, servindo desta forma como um contributo de utilidade para a comunidade científica.At a time when technological advances happen every day, a disproportional evolution of batteries capabilities has been verified, specially for mobile devices. On the other hand the number of devices whose remote location makes battery maintenance very expensive, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), is increasing. The objective of this work is not only to increase the eficiency of energy harvesting systems on the frequency of 100MHz, as it is introducing new methods for it's analysis. At the same time a no-cost illumination system, fed with more specific rectification systems, with less consideration for the eficiency is proposed here. As of the best results obtained for the high eficiency circuits, these were achieved for a simple series rectifier, with eficiencies around 45% for an input power of 5dBm, thus generating output voltages of _ 1:6V . The circuits developed for the lighting system, consisting in voltage multipliers, generated output voltage values around 8V for Pin = 10dBm, that is, enough to power up a low consuming 3 Light-Emitting Diode (LED)s cell. These obtained results are destined not only to present innovative conclusions, but also to provide adequate tools for subsequent developments of similar circuits, thus serving as a contribute for the scientific community

Comparation of common ultra-low power harvesting RF rectifier circuits

This project has analysed and compared different types of common RF Harvesting rectifier circuits for ultra-low power. An antenna has been used as an energy harvesting element and the power available in the environment has been analysed, specifically in the GAEMI laboratories of the UAB. The simulations were carried out using the Keysisght ADS software. It has been demonstrated, by means of simulation, that the simple rectifier shows a higher efficiency than the other rectifiers and that the value of the load resistance is the predominant element in the calculation of this efficiency. It has been experimentally confirmed that the measurements do not deviate from the simulated measurements. The results obtained can be applied to the generation of prototypes of RF Harvesting systems

Metallic glass/PVDF magnetoelectric laminates for resonant sensors and actuators: a review

Among magnetoelectric (ME) heterostructures, ME laminates of the type Metglas-like / PVDF (magnetostrictive+piezoelectric constituents) have shown the highest induced ME voltages, usually detected at the magnetoelastic resonance of the magnetostrictive constituent. This ME coupling happens because of the high cross-correlation coupling between magnetostrictive and piezoelectric material, and is usually associated with a promising application scenario for sensors or actuators. In this work we detail the basis of the operation of such devices, as well as some arising questions (as size effects) concerning their best performance. Also, some examples of their use as very sensitive magnetic fields sensors or innovative energy harvesting devices will be reviewed. At the end, the challenges, future perspectives and technical difficulties that will determine the success of ME composites for sensor applications are discussed.J.G., A.L. and J.M.B. would like to thank the financial support from the Basque Government under ACTIMAT and MICRO4FAB projects (Etortek program) and Research Groups IT711-13 project. A. Lasheras wants to thank the Basque Government for financial support under FPI Grant. Technical and human support provided by SGIker (UPV/EHU, MICINN, GV/EJ, ESF) is gratefully acknowledged. P.M., N.P. and S. L.-M. thank the Portuguese Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) for financial Sensors 2017, 13 19 support under Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013 and project PTDC/EEI-SII/5582/2014, including FEDER funds, UE. P. Martins acknowledges also support from FCT (SFRH/BPD/96227/2013 grant). Financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the project MAT2016-76039-C4-3-R (AEI/FEDER, UE) (including the FEDER financial support) is also acknowledgedinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rectenna Systems for RF Energy Harvesting and Wireless Power Transfer

With the rapid development of the wireless systems and demands of low-power integrated electronic circuits, various research trends have tended to study the feasibility of powering these circuits by harvesting free energy from ambient electromagnetic space or by using dedicated RF source. Wireless power transmission (WPT) technology was first pursued by Tesla over a century ago. However, it faced several challenges for deployment in real applications. Recently, energy harvesting and WPT technologies have received much attention as a clean and renewable power source. Rectenna (rectifying antenna) system can be used for remotely charging batteries in several sensor networks at internet of things (IoT) applications as commonly used in smart buildings, implanted medical devices and automotive applications. Rectenna, which is used to convert from RF energy to usable DC electrical energy, is mainly a combination between a receiving antenna and a rectifier circuit. This chapter will present several designs for single and multiband rectennas with different characteristics for energy harvesting applications. Single and multiband antennas as well as rectifier circuits with matching networks are introduced for complete successful rectenna circuit models. At the end of the chapter, a dual-band rectenna example is introduced with a detailed description for each section of the rectenna

Applicability of Dickson Charge Pump in Energy Harvesting Systems: Experimental Validation of Energy Harvesting Charge Pump Model

Energy harvesting methods provide very low instantaneous power. Accordingly, available voltage levels are low and must be increased so that an energy harvesting method can be used as a power supply. One approach uses charge pumps to boost low AC voltage from energy harvester to a higher DC voltage. Characterized by very low output current and a wide span of operating frequencies, energy harvesting methods introduce a number of limitations to charge pump operation. This paper describes and models behavior of Dickson charge pump in energy harvesting applications. Proposed Energy Harvesting model is evaluated and compared with Standard and Tanzawa charge pump models and with measurement results. Based on the proposed model, the conditions that need to be satisfied so that a charge pump can reach maximum power point of energy harvesting system are defined. Parameter selection method optimized for maximum power point is presented and is experimentally validated