Batteryless Sensor ADC Using RF Energy Harvesting and Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analog to digital converters (ADCs) are power consumptive, provide relatively low resolution, and cannot operate effectively in applications with limited power budgets or high performance requirements.
Innovation Solution
The development of novel ADC designs that include a transceiver operative as an energy harvesting source and data collector within a batteryless wireless sensor system, enabling efficient conversion of analog signals to digital format with improved resolution and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ADCs are used, then analog signals can be converted to digital format, but power consumption is high and resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic sampling and time-multiplexed operation where the ADC converts analog signals at discrete time intervals rather than continuously. The sensor node alternates between sensing, converting, and wireless transmission phases, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining effective digital signal resolution through strategic sampling at critical moments
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver unit serves dual functions as both a communication device and an energy harvesting source. It collects digital data from the ADC and simultaneously provides wireless power transfer to the sensor node, enabling the system to sustain high-resolution ADC operation without external power sources by harvesting energy from its own communication signals
2Measurement precision
If high resolution ADC conversion is implemented, then digital signal quality improves, but power consumption increases beyond available power budgets
Solution Approach 1:
The transceiver unit performs multiple functions: data transmission, energy harvesting, and power management. By integrating these functions into a single component, the system achieves high-resolution ADC conversion within limited power budgets, as the transceiver both consumes power for communication and harvests energy to offset ADC power requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts ADC sampling rates and resolution based on available energy levels and data priority. When power is abundant, higher resolution and faster sampling are enabled; when power is constrained, the system reduces ADC activity while maintaining essential monitoring capabilities, optimizing the trade-off between digital signal quality and power consumption
3Duration of action of stationary object
If batteryless operation is implemented, then system longevity improves, but power availability for high-performance ADC operation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operation through periodic energy harvesting from wireless transmissions. The transceiver continuously receives signals that are converted to electrical energy, providing a steady stream of power that sustains ADC operation indefinitely without batteries, ensuring both long-term longevity and adequate instantaneous power for high-performance conversion when data acquisition is required
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary energy harvesting during communication phases before high-power ADC conversion is needed. By accumulating energy from incoming wireless signals in advance, the sensor node ensures sufficient instantaneous power is available when high-resolution data acquisition is required, bridging the gap between limited power availability and high-performance operational demands
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These advanced ADCs achieve high resolution digital format data with significantly reduced power consumption, making them suitable for applications with limited power budgets while maintaining high performance.
Implementation Method 1
transceiver operative as an energy harvesting source and data collector within a batteryless wireless sensor system
Data Source
AI summary
A batteryless wireless sensor system includes a data acquisition system, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, and a batteryless wireless sensor device. The RF transceiver is in communication with the data acquisition system, transmits a RF signal, and receives sensor data and provide the sensor data to the data acquisition system. The batteryless wireless sensor device includes a RF transmitter, an analog to digital converter (ADC), and a sensor. The batteryless wireless sensor harvests energy from the RF signal and generates a DC signal based on the energy harvested from the RF signal, powers up and operates the ADC and the sensor based on the DC signal, and generates sensor data. The batteryless wireless sensor then transmits the sensor data via the RF transmitter to the RF transceiver. In certain examples, the ADC is implemented as a current mode ADC.