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

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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%.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electronics Engineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, 406-772, Korea

    Eun-Jung Yoon, Jong-Tae Park & Chong-Gun Yu

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  1. Eun-Jung Yoon
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  2. Jong-Tae Park
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  3. Chong-Gun Yu
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Correspondence to Chong-Gun Yu.

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Project supported by the Incheon National University Research Grant in 2015 and partly supported by IDEC

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Yoon, EJ., Park, JT. & Yu, CG. Thermal energy harvesting circuit with maximum power point tracking control for self-powered sensor node applications. Frontiers Inf Technol Electronic Eng 19, 285–296 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1631/FITEE.1601181

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1631/FITEE.1601181

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