Energy harvesting IC
17 August 2011
Power Electronics / Power Management
Maxim recently débuted the MAX17710, integrating all of the power management functions for ambient energy harvesting, as well as for charging and protecting micro-energy cells (MECs), a form of solid-state battery.
Operating at an ultra-low current level, the IC accepts energy from a variety of poorly regulated energy harvesting sources with output levels ranging from 1 μW to 100 mW. Examples include light (captured by photovoltaic cells), vibration (captured by a piezoelectric element), heat (captured by a thermoelectric generator) and RF (eg, near-field communications (NFC)).
The MAX17710 integrates a programmable input boost regulator and needs no expensive external components to charge a MEC with energy sources as low as 0,8 V. It protects the MEC by using a linear shunt series regulator. A low quiescent current, adjustable low-dropout linear regulator (LDO) with selectable voltages of 3,3 V, 2,3 V or 1,8 V allows the device to adapt to a variety of loads. Packaged in a low-profile 0,5 mm TQFN, the chip enables thin, card-like applications. It will also be available in wafer form to enable even thinner form factors.
At very low temperatures, all batteries exhibit increased characteristic impedance, which limits high pulse currents to the application loads. The MAX17710 integrates a feature that manages an external storage capacitor to augment the battery output and provide high pulse currents, even at very cold temperatures down to -40°C.
The device also works in power bridging applications where energy harvesting is not necessarily used. In such applications, infrastructure power (from the grid or a larger battery) is typically available to power the system and can trickle-charge an MEC for memory or RTC backup power. In the event of a loss of grid power or a system brownout during replacement of the larger system battery, the stored energy in the MEC continues to power volatile memory and/or an RTC for hours, days or even weeks. This solution displaces bulky coin cells and supercapacitors that have high self-discharge currents and limited life, especially at elevated temperatures.
The MAX17710 is targeted at powered smartcards, real-time clock (RTC)/memory backup applications and wireless sensor networks. Examples of wireless sensor networks include remote applications like irrigation valve control, building energy management, machine monitoring systems, asset tracking, biometric security systems, medical applications and a myriad of portable consumer electronics.
Further reading:
Powering the IoT
Uniross Batteries
Power Electronics / Power Management
Choosing the right battery is not simply a technical detail, but a defining factor in the longevity and cost-effectiveness of any IoT deployment.
Read more...
The move to DC infrastructure
IOT Electronics
Power Electronics / Power Management
The shift toward direct current infrastructure in data centres is accelerating as operators pursue higher efficiency, improved reliability, and stronger alignment with renewable energy goals.
Read more...
Power inductor for automotive applications
Würth Elektronik eiSos
Power Electronics / Power Management
The WE-MXGA inductor features RDC values up to 25% lower and a saturation current up to 47% higher compared to other components currently available on the market.
Read more...
High-performance DC-DC converter
Conical Technologies
Power Electronics / Power Management
With a wide 9 - 40 V DC input range, the Claf Power DWHB400-F24xxN series is a high-performance DC-DC converter family ideally suited for 12 V and 24 V battery-based systems including vehicles, off-grid installations, and distributed power architectures.
Read more...
DC-DC converters for next-generation IoT
iCorp Technologies
Power Electronics / Power Management
AIPUPOWER’s K78XXJT-500R3 and K78XXJT-500R3-LB give designers a compact, high-efficiency power option for battery-powered and space-constrained systems, combining up to 96% efficiency with no-load input current as low as 0,2 mA.
Read more...
240 W in compact form factor
Brabek
Power Electronics / Power Management
The cost-effective and reliable RECOM RACPRO1-S240E DIN-rail mount AC-DC series is only 125 x 139 mm and 39 mm wide, yet provides 240 W output.
Read more...
You cannot manage what you cannot measure
Power Electronics / Power Management
South African sites are generating solar energy. Most still have no idea what is consuming it… or when, or why. Intelligent load management hardware is changing that.
Read more...
Scalable and intelligent power solution
Power Electronics / Power Management
Designed for Africa’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, Bluetti’s ES125 offers a scalable, intelligent power solution that delivers reliable and cost-efficient electricity for uninterrupted operations.
Read more...
Simulating grid abnormalities
Conical Technologies
Power Electronics / Power Management
Simulating grid abnormalities has become an essential part of validating systems such as inverters, UPS units, photovoltaic inverters, and EV charging infrastructure.
Read more...
Evaluation board for STPMIC25 PMIC
Power Electronics / Power Management
The STEVAL-PMIC25V1 is a power management IC evaluation board for the highly integrated STPMIC25, which is designed to manage the power requirements of the core, memory, and interfaces of the STM32MP2x series MPU.
Read more...
printer friendly version