3,909 research outputs found
A battery-less, self-sustaining RF energy harvesting circuit with TFETs for µW power applications
This paper proposes a Tunnel FET (TFET) power management circuit for RF energy harvesting applications. In contrast with conventional MOSFET technologies, the improved electrical characteristics of TFETs promise a better behavior in the process of rectification and conversion at ultra-low power (µW) and voltage (sub-0.25 V) levels. RF powered systems can not only benefit from TFETs in front-end rectifiers by harvesting the surrounding energy at levels where conventional technologies cannot operate but also in the minimization of energy required by the power management circuit. In this work we present an energy harvesting circuit for RF sources designed with TFETs. The TFET controller emulates an adequate impedance at the output of the rectifier in order to allow maximum transfer of power from the RF source to the input of the boost converter. The output load is activated once the output capacitor reaches a voltage value of 0.5 V. The results show an efficiency boost of 89 % for an output load consuming 1 µW with an available RF power of -25 dBm.Postprint (published version
Insights into tunnel FET-based charge pumps and rectifiers for energy harvesting applications
In this paper, the electrical characteristics of tunnel field-effect transistor (TFET) devices are explored for energy harvesting front-end circuits with ultralow power consumption. Compared with conventional thermionic technologies, the improved electrical characteristics of TFET devices are expected to increase the power conversion efficiency of front-end charge pumps and rectifiers powered at sub-µW power levels. However, under reverse bias conditions the TFET device presents particular electrical characteristics due to its different carrier injection mechanism. In this paper, it is shown that reverse losses in TFET-based circuits can be attenuated by changing the gate-to-source voltage of reverse-biased TFETs. Therefore, in order to take full advantage of the TFETs in front-end energy harvesting circuits, different circuit approaches are required. In this paper, we propose and discuss different topologies for TFET-based charge pumps and rectifiers for energy harvesting applications.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft
Introduction to Graphene Electronics -- A New Era of Digital Transistors and Devices
The speed of silicon-based transistors has reached an impasse in the recent
decade, primarily due to scaling techniques and the short-channel effect.
Conversely, graphene (a revolutionary new material possessing an atomic
thickness) has been shown to exhibit a promising value for electrical
conductivity. Graphene would thus appear to alleviate some of the drawbacks
associated with silicon-based transistors. It is for this reason why such a
material is considered one of the most prominent candidates to replace silicon
within nano-scale transistors. The major crux here, is that graphene is
intrinsically gapless, and yet, transistors require a band-gap pertaining to a
well-defined ON/OFF logical state. Therefore, exactly as to how one would
create this band-gap in graphene allotropes is an intensive area of growing
research. Existing methods include nano-ribbons, bilayer and multi-layer
structures, carbon nanotubes, as well as the usage of the graphene substrates.
Graphene transistors can generally be classified according to two working
principles. The first is that a single graphene layer, nanoribbon or carbon
nanotube can act as a transistor channel, with current being transported along
the horizontal axis. The second mechanism is regarded as tunneling, whether
this be band-to-band on a single graphene layer, or vertically between adjacent
graphene layers. The high-frequency graphene amplifier is another talking point
in recent research, since it does not require a clear ON/OFF state, as with
logical electronics. This paper reviews both the physical properties and
manufacturing methodologies of graphene, as well as graphene-based electronic
devices, transistors, and high-frequency amplifiers from past to present
studies. Finally, we provide possible perspectives with regards to future
developments.Comment: This is an updated version of our review article, due to be published
in Contemporary Physics (Sept 2013). Included are updated references, along
with a few minor corrections. (45 pages, 19 figures
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