Power-electronic-interface topology for MEMS energy harvesting with multiple transducers

Abstract

Based on circuit simulations, this paper investigates a concept for a power electronic interface circuit for MEMS electrostatic energy harvesters. Two ordinary overlap-varying transducers are first electrically configured as a symmetric voltage doublers which enables the device to self-start from an initially low bias. The harvesting system is then reconfigured to couple with a buck-boost DC-DC converter in order to maximize the power delivered to an electronic load. The losses of electronic components due to diode voltage drop and parasitic resistance of inductors are taken into account for a feasibility investigation. Dependence of the maximum output power on inductance and switching frequency is explored.