A 95mV-startup step-up converter with Vth-tuned oscillator by fixed-charge programming and capacitor pass-on scheme

Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/ReportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Po-Hung Chen - , Tokyo University of Agriculture (Author)
  • Koichi Ishida - , Chair of Circuit Design and Network Theory, Tokyo University of Agriculture (Author)
  • Katsuyuki Ikeuchi - , Tokyo University of Agriculture (Author)
  • Xin Zhang - , Chair of Physical Chemistry, Tokyo University of Agriculture (Author)
  • Kentaro Honda - , Tokyo University of Agriculture (Author)
  • Yasuyuki Okuma - , Semiconductor Technology Academic Research Center (STARC) (Author)
  • Yoshikatsu Ryu - , Semiconductor Technology Academic Research Center (STARC) (Author)
  • Makoto Takamiya - , Tokyo University of Agriculture (Author)
  • Takayasu Sakurai - , Tokyo University of Agriculture (Author)

Abstract

Harvesting energy from the environment by using a thermoelectric generator (TEG) or photovoltaic cells provides a solution for battery-free sensor networks or electronic healthcare systems. In these systems, the harvested energy is supplied at a very low voltages, requiring a low-startup-voltage power circuit for kick-start from low voltage. A previous sub-100mV-startup-voltage boost converter was implemented by using a mechanically assisted step-up process that needs vibration at startup and the application is rather limited. In this paper, a 95mV startup voltage step-up converter without any mechanical stimulus extends the applicability of energy harvesting. The circuit converts a 100mV input to a 0.9V output with 72% conversion efficiency without any external clocks or mechanical switches. A capacitor pass-on scheme eliminates an additional external output capacitor that functions only at the startup.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2011 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference
PublisherIEEE
Pages216-218
Number of pages3
ISBN (print)978-1-61284-301-8
Publication statusPublished - 24 Feb 2011
Peer-reviewedYes

Conference

Title2011 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference
Duration20 - 24 February 2011
LocationSan Francisco, CA, USA

External IDs

Scopus 79955719876
ORCID /0000-0002-4152-1203/work/165453412

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Converters, Capacitors, Semiconductor device measurement, Oscillators, Detectors, Programming, Stress