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Starter for Voltage Boost Converter to Harvest Thermoelectric Energy for Body-Worn Sensors

Author

Listed:
  • Grzegorz Blakiewicz

    (Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Jacek Jakusz

    (Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Waldemar Jendernalik

    (Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland)

Abstract

This paper examines the suitability of selected configurations of ultra-low voltage (ULV) oscillators as starters for a voltage boost converter to harvest energy from a thermoelectric generator (TEG). Important properties of particularly promising configurations, suitable for on-chip implementation are compared. On this basis, an improved oscillator with a low startup voltage and a high output voltage swing is proposed. The applicability of n-channel native MOS transistors with negative or near-zero threshold voltage in ULV oscillators is analyzed. The results demonstrate that a near-zero threshold voltage transistor operating in the weak inversion region is most advantageous for the considered application. The obtained results were used as a reference for design of a boost converter starter intended for integration in 180-nm CMOS X-FAB technology. In the selected technology, the most suitable transistor available with a negative threshold voltage was used. Despite using a transistor with a negative threshold voltage, a low startup voltage of 29 mV, a power consumption of 70 µW, and power conversion efficiency of about 1.5% were achieved. A great advantage of the proposed starter is that it eliminates a multistage charge pump necessary to obtain a voltage of sufficient value to supply the boost converter control circuit.

Suggested Citation

  • Grzegorz Blakiewicz & Jacek Jakusz & Waldemar Jendernalik, 2021. "Starter for Voltage Boost Converter to Harvest Thermoelectric Energy for Body-Worn Sensors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:14:p:4092-:d:589749
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Flávio Morais & Pedro Carvalhaes-Dias & Luís Duarte & Anderson Spengler & Kleber de Paiva & Thiago Martins & Andreu Cabot & José Siqueira Dias, 2020. "Optimization of the TEGs Configuration (Series/Parallel) in Energy Harvesting Systems with Low-Voltage Thermoelectric Generators Connected to Ultra-Low Voltage DC–DC Converters," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-12, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Grzegorz Blakiewicz, 2023. "Low-Voltage LDO Regulator Based on Native MOS Transistor with Improved PSR and Fast Response," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-15, June.

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