Wiegand Coil Sensor Packaging for Battery-Free Wake-Up Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operation of autonomous, standalone devices such as sensors is constrained by limited power supply, whether from battery storage capacity or ambient energy availability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of Wiegand sensors, which utilize a coil around a Wiegand wire to generate energy pulses from changing magnetic fields, enabling low-power activation and operation of integrated circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional battery-powered sensors are used, then continuous operation is achieved, but power consumption is high and battery life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system harvests energy from the ambient magnetic fields it detects, allowing it to power itself without external batteries. The Wiegand wire generates electrical pulses from magnetic field changes, creating a self-sustaining energy source that eliminates battery replacement and extends operational lifespan indefinitely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical battery system with an electromagnetic energy harvesting system. Instead of storing chemical energy in batteries, the system uses a Wiegand wire to convert magnetic field changes directly into electrical energy, substituting a passive storage mechanism with an active conversion mechanism.
2Duration of action of moving object
If energy-harvesting from ambient environment is used, then battery replacement is eliminated, but available energy from environment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The Wiegand wire serves dual functions: it acts as both the sensing element for detecting magnetic fields and the energy harvesting mechanism for generating power. This multi-functionality maximizes the utility of each component and ensures that the sensing operation itself contributes to power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by using specific frequencies of magnetic field changes that match the resonant characteristics of the Wiegand wire, maximizing energy harvest efficiency. The coil winding parameters are optimized to transform magnetic field variations into sufficient electrical energy for sensor operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If Wiegand sensor with coil around Wiegand wire is used, then energy can be harvested from magnetic fields, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the magnetic field sensing function with the energy harvesting function into a single integrated component. The coil that would normally only be a sensing element becomes simultaneously the power generation mechanism, eliminating the need for separate power management circuits and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The Wiegand wire acts as an intermediary element that converts magnetic field changes into electrical energy that can directly power the sensor circuitry. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the energy conversion process by using a passive ferromagnetic wire instead of requiring active power management electronics.
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
Enables low-power or zero-power operation of sensors by harnessing energy from ambient magnetic fields, reducing the need for continuous power consumption and extending device lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a Wiegand sensor connected to the integrated circuit, where the Wiegand sensor includes a coil configured around a Wiegand wire, where the Wiegand sensor is configured to provide an energy pulse to the integrated circuit in response to a changing polarity of a sensed magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, structures, circuits, packages and methods provide low-power devices such as sensors and sensor packages having one or more Wiegand coils that can be used for activation of a sensor or other device, as well as potentially supplying operating power. In some embodiments, one or more Wiegand coils can be located in a sensor package, e.g., as one or more discrete components in the package and/or on formed on or connected to a semiconductor die within the package, for providing wake-up and/or continuous power. The Wiegand coil(s) can be separated from the sensor die in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the Wiegand coil(s) can be constructed on the die itself.