Multiple Input Single Inductor Multiple Output Regulator for IoT Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
IoT devices face challenges due to their large size and poor battery life, and traditional energy harvesting architectures have low efficiency and high cost due to multiple stages of DC-DC converters, which occupy significant form factor and resources.
Innovation Solution
A multiple input single inductor multiple output (MISIMO) architecture with a single stage of conversion is used to regulate voltage for multiple harvesting sources and power rails, employing asynchronous control schemes to optimize energy extraction and conversion efficiency by varying ON times for charging and discharging phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional two-stage DC-DC converter architecture is used for energy harvesting, then power delivery can be achieved, but overall efficiency is low and form factor is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple energy harvesting sources (solar, thermal, vibration) and multiple output voltage rails into a single integrated DC-DC converter stage. This single-stage architecture merges the functionality of what would traditionally require separate converter stages, thereby reducing overall energy loss and eliminating the efficiency penalties associated with cascaded conversion stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The single inductor DC-DC converter is designed to universally handle multiple types of energy harvesting sources (photovoltaic, thermoelectric, piezoelectric) and simultaneously provide multiple regulated voltage outputs. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for dedicated converters for each source and output, reducing total energy loss and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Power
If traditional two-stage DC-DC converter architecture is used, then power conversion can be performed, but form factor occupies large PCB footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power conversion functions into a single DC-DC converter stage with one inductor. This consolidation integrates what would traditionally require separate converter circuits into a unified architecture, dramatically reducing the PCB footprint while maintaining full power delivery capability to multiple voltage rails.
Solution Approach 2:
The single converter stage is designed with universal capability to process multiple energy harvesting sources and generate multiple regulated voltage outputs simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain comprehensive power delivery capability while occupying minimal PCB space compared to traditional multi-stage architectures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional multi-stage energy harvesting architecture is used, then multiple voltage rails can be powered, but cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The single-stage DC-DC converter is designed with universal capability to support multiple types of energy harvesting sources (solar panels, thermoelectric generators, piezoelectric harvesters) and simultaneously regulate multiple voltage rails. This multi-functional design provides the same versatility as multi-stage architectures but with significantly reduced component count and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple dedicated converters into a single integrated converter stage. By merging the power conversion paths for different energy sources and multiple voltage rail regulation into one unified architecture, the system achieves the same adaptability and versatility as complex multi-stage systems while dramatically reducing overall device complexity and cost.
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
This approach maximizes power extraction efficiency, minimizes form factor, and reduces costs by enabling efficient power delivery to IoT devices with a wide load range, extending battery life and improving practical usability.
Implementation Method 1
an inductor to store energy received from one or more energy sources and release the energy to supply the power to one or more loads
Data Source
AI summary
A power regulator includes a plurality of harvester switches, each coupled to receive a separate energy source, a plurality of load switches, each coupled to supply power to a separate load, an inductor to store energy received from one or more energy sources and release the energy to supply the power to one or more loads and a controller to control charging of the inductor via activation of one or more of the harvester switches and discharging of the inductor via activation of one or more of the load switches.