An Auto-Configurable Dual-Mode MPPT for Energy Harvesting With 12 nW-180 mW Conversion Range

This brief presents an energy harvester IC with the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) scheme for an ultra-wide input power range. In the energy harvester, the proposed auto-configurable dual-mode MPPT algorithm adaptively switches between a fixed charge search (FCS) mode and a fixed frequency search (FFS) mode, according to the input power level. The implemented chip in 180nm CMOS process achieves the widest input power range of 12nW-to-180mW with a peak efficiency of 93.6%, occupying 1.14 x 1.24mm(2). The proposed hill climbing-based MPPT scheme also shows a conversion efficiency of > 30% even at 12nW input power while consuming a quiescent current of 2.2nA.

Automated summary

This brief introduces an energy harvester IC with a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) scheme that can operate in an ultra-wide input power range. By adaptively switching between fixed charge search (FCS) mode and fixed frequency search (FFS) mode, the proposed MPPT algorithm can achieve optimal performance based on the input power level. The implemented chip, using 180nm CMOS process, achieves a wide input power range of 12nW-to-180mW with a peak efficiency of 93.6% and occupies a small area of 1.14 x 1.24mm(2). The MPPT scheme based on hill climbing algorithm demonstrates a conversion efficiency of over 30% even at 12nW input power, while consuming a quiescent current of 2.2nA.