Startup Circuit for Low Power IoT Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-power IoT devices face challenges in startup due to the low voltage and current from sustainable energy sources like microbial fuel cells, requiring efficient energy harvesting and reliable startup circuits that can handle minimal current and voltage inputs.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system with a startup circuit that disconnects a subset of I/O circuitry during startup, using a charge pump to charge a startup capacitor, and then connects the remaining I/O circuitry once sufficient energy is harvested, allowing a booster circuit to take over power management, thereby improving reliability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all I/O circuitry is connected during startup, then the device can begin normal operation, but the load on the low-power energy source becomes too high for successful startup
Solution Approach 1:
The I/O circuitry is divided into two separate sections: a first section that remains connected during startup and a second section that is disconnected during startup. This segmentation allows the system to reduce power consumption during the critical startup phase while ensuring reliable operation once the device is fully powered.
2Ease of operation
If a dedicated cold start circuit is used, then startup from low voltage sources is enabled, but the circuit complexity and design requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the startup functionality from the main I/O circuitry by creating a separate startup mode operation. The controller is configured to automatically manage the disconnection and reconnection of I/O sections based on operational state, eliminating the need for complex dedicated cold start circuits while maintaining startup capability from low-voltage energy harvesting sources.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the I/O circuitry is disconnected during startup, then power consumption is reduced, but the device cannot perform normal I/O operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the connectivity state of I/O circuitry based on operational requirements. During startup, the second I/O section is disconnected to minimize power consumption. Once the device transitions to normal operation, the controller reconfigures the circuit to connect both I/O sections, enabling full I/O functionality. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction between power savings and operational capability.
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
The system ensures reliable startup of low-power IoT devices by minimizing load and external influences during energy harvesting, enabling successful operation with low voltage and current inputs from sustainable energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
A power supply system with a startup circuit that disconnects a subset of I/O circuitry during startup, using a charge pump to charge a startup capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit (IC) includes an input/output (I/O) circuitry with a first circuitry section including I/O pins and a second circuitry section including I/O pins. The first and second circuitry sections are mutually exclusive sections of the I/O ring. The first circuitry section includes a first I/O pin configured to receive an input voltage from a first energy source and a second I/O pin connectable to an external startup capacitor. A startup circuit is coupled to the first I/O pin and the second I/O pin. Upon receiving the input voltage from the first energy source, the startup circuit enters a during the startup phase and isolates the first circuitry section from the second circuitry section, and provides charge to the external startup capacitor. In response to achieving a predetermined minimum charge on the external startup capacitor, the first circuitry section is connected to the second circuitry section, and the startup phase ends and the IC transitions to a functional mode of operation.