Simulation Model for a Low-Power Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Application

Abstract

In the field of self-powered microelectronics with low power consumption, piezoelectric materials that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy are a widely used energy source. In the previous studies, only a few analyses have been carried out in the scope of optimal energy management of the entire electronic system. In this paper, a simplified energy simulation model of the real-time behavior of a whole energy-autonomous system is proposed. Different operating modes such as sleep, normal and standby, by using the newest ultra-low power Bluetooth communication technology (Bluetooth 5.2) for wireless transmission of measurement data, are analysed. This model was implemented in Simulink using the Pulse-width modulation (PWM) circuit as the power management unit. Based on the simulation data, the value of the output power was predicted, as well as the operation process was designed accordingly to ensure that the system can operate at the lowest power consumption normally. The simulation results demonstrate that the combination of multilayer Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) plates after the rectifier can provide the energy requirements for the normal operation of a microchip. When the energy source is not active, the energy stored in the capacitor can guarantee the processing of at least one measurement cycle. The simulation of the model is then discussed by comparing it with the experimental data.