Wireless sensor node demonstrating indoor-light energy harvesting and voltage-triggered duty cycling

We demonstrate a wireless sensor node (WSN) that operates purely on harvested ambient indoor light energy and regulates its duty cycle via voltage-triggered sensing and transmission. The extremely low-power light found in indoor environments can be considered at first sight as unsuitable for high-po...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physics. Conference series 2016-11, Vol.773 (1), p.12033
Main Authors: Cowell, M. A., Lechene, B. P., Raffone, P., Evans, J. W., Arias, A. C., Wright, P. K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cycles
Electric potential
Energy harvesting
Energy storage
Indoor environments
Photovoltaic cells
Physics
Solar cells
Voltage
Wireless sensor networks
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Summary:We demonstrate a wireless sensor node (WSN) that operates purely on harvested ambient indoor light energy and regulates its duty cycle via voltage-triggered sensing and transmission. The extremely low-power light found in indoor environments can be considered at first sight as unsuitable for high-power load demands characteristic of radios [1], but by leveraging spectrum-tailored solar cells, trickle charging a high-power energy reservoir, and implementing triggered duty cycling, we show that these power demands can be consistently met. All energy harvesting and storage components are fabricated in our labs.
ISSN:1742-6588
1742-6596
DOI:10.1088/1742-6596/773/1/012033