A unified system-level simulation framework for energy harvesting, management, and application in plucking piezoelectric energy harvesters
Hao Tang, Xuzhang Peng, Xin Li, Dewen Yu, Yunlong Zi, Guobiao Hu
Abstract
Abstract Piezoelectric energy harvesting technology empowers systems with self-sustainability for applications in distributed scenarios, such as the Internet of Things (IoT). Although extensively studied, existing studies fail to integrate all essential system units within a unified paradigm for analysis. This study addresses this research gap by developing a comprehensive system-level equivalent circuit model (ECM) that incorporates a transient motion (TM)-driven piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH), a self-powered synchronous electronic charge extraction (SP-SECE) circuit, an energy management unit (LTC3588-1 module), and two distinct types of electronic devices. Within this framework, the ECM can simulate the whole operating process of the TM-PEH, from mechanical excitation through energy conversion & storage to the operation of electronic devices. Experiments were conducted, and the results perfectly aligned with simulation findings. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrated that the SP-SECE circuit increased harvested energy by nearly five times compared to the standard energy harvesting (SEH) circuit when charging a capacitor of 330 μ F. This superior energy harvesting capability enables the operation of electronic devices under conditions where the SEH circuit would fail. Moreover, the established system-level model demonstrates its adaptability for simulating both continuous and intermittent load devices. These findings underscore the model’s potential for optimizing energy harvesting systems and improving the design of self-powered IoT applications in an unprecedented manner from a holistic perspective.