JZUS - Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE

Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering 2018 Vol.19 No.2 P.285-296

Thermal energy harvesting circuit with maximum power point tracking control for self-powered sensor node applications

Author(s): Eun-Jung Yoon, Jong-Tae Park, Chong-Gun Yu
Affiliation(s): Department of Electronics Engineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 406-772, Korea
Corresponding email(s): ngkorea@nate.com, jtpark@inu.ac.kr, chong@inu.ac.kr
Key Words: Thermoelectric energy, Energy harvesting, Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control, Self-powered system, Sensor node

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Abstract: We present a simple implementation of a thermal energy harvesting circuit with the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control for self-powered miniature-sized sensor nodes. Complex start-up circuitry and direct current to direct current (DC-DC) boost converters are not required, because the output voltage of targeted thermoelectric generator (TEG) devices is high enough to drive the load applications directly. The circuit operates in the active/asleep mode to overcome the power mismatch between TEG devices and load applications. The proposed circuit was implemented using a 0.35-μm complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. Experimental results confirmed correct circuit operation and demonstrated the performance of the MPPT scheme. The circuit achieved a peak power efficiency of 95.5% and an MPPT accuracy of higher than 99%.

为自供能传感器节点供电的最大功率点跟踪控制热能收集电路

概要：提出一种简便的具有最大功率点跟踪（maximum power point tracking，MPPT）控制功能的热能收集电路，为自供能微型传感器节点供电。由于热电发生器（thermo electric generator，TEG）的输出电压足够高，可直接驱动负载应用，故该电路免去了复杂的启动电路和直流-直流（DC-DC）升压转换器。为克服TEG设备和负载应用之间的功率失配，该电路在激活/休眠模式下工作。该热能收集电路基于0.35μm互补式金属氧化物半导体（CMOS）工艺研制。实验结果证明该电路能正常工作，展示了MPPT方案性能。该电路实现了95.5％的峰值功效和高于99％的MPPT精度。

关键词：热电能；能量收集；最大功率点跟踪（MPPT）控制；自供电系统；传感器节点

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为自供能传感器节点供电的最大功率点跟踪控制热能收集电路

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