Managing the power in wireless sensor networks powered by energy-harvesting circuitry

by Pierre Mars, Vice President Applications Engineering, CAP-XX (Australia) Pty Ltd , EE Times, Jun 07 2010

Focus:
Supercapacitors can be beneficial in energy harvesting systems where their energy storage and power delivery capability enable them to buffer a low-power source from a high-power load such as a wireless transmitter. Using supercapacitors enables the energy harvesting source and associated interface electronics and dc-dc converter to be sized for delivery of average power rather than peak power. This enables a more compact power solution. The article discusses issues affecting supercapacitor selection such as supercap leakage current, requirements for cell balancing,and aging. Formulas are given for calculating required capacitance including the cases of constant-current or constant-power loads. An example of a supercapacitor interface circuit is presented and its operation is explained.

What you’ll learn:

• How to apply supercapacitors to buffer energy harvesting systems from high-power loads
• How to build an interface circuit for connecting an energy harvesting source to supercapacitors

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