A Long-Distance RF-Powered Sensor Node with Adaptive Power Management for Iot Applications

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A Long-Distance RF-Powered Sensor Node with Adaptive Power Management for Iot Applications sensors Article A Long-Distance RF-Powered Sensor Node with Adaptive Power Management for IoT Applications Matteo Pizzotti 1,2,* ID , Luca Perilli 1 ID , Massimo del Prete 2, Davide Fabbri 2, Roberto Canegallo 3, Michele Dini 1, Diego Masotti 2 ID , Alessandra Costanzo 1,2, Eleonora Franchi Scarselli 1,2 ID and Aldo Romani 1,2 ID 1 Advanced Research Center on Electronic Systems, University of Bologna, Via Toffano 2/2, Bologna 40126, Italy; [email protected] (L.P.); [email protected] (M.D.); [email protected] (A.C.); [email protected] (E.F.S.); [email protected] (A.R.) 2 Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering, University of Bologna, Via Risorgimento 2, Bologna 40126, Italy; [email protected] (M.d.P.); [email protected] (D.F.); [email protected] (D.M.) 3 STMicroelectronics, Via Camillo Olivetti, Agrate Brianza 20864, Italy; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +39-054-733-9537 Received: 30 June 2017; Accepted: 26 July 2017; Published: 28 July 2017 Abstract: We present a self-sustained battery-less multi-sensor platform with RF harvesting capability down to −17 dBm and implementing a standard DASH7 wireless communication interface. The node operates at distances up to 17 m from a 2 W UHF carrier. RF power transfer allows operation when common energy scavenging sources (e.g., sun, heat, etc.) are not available, while the DASH7 communication protocol makes it fully compatible with a standard IoT infrastructure. An optimized energy-harvesting module has been designed, including a rectifying antenna (rectenna) and an integrated nano-power DC/DC converter performing maximum-power-point-tracking (MPPT). A nonlinear/electromagnetic co-design procedure is adopted to design the rectenna, which is optimized to operate at ultra-low power levels. An ultra-low power microcontroller controls on-board sensors and wireless protocol, to adapt the power consumption to the available detected power by changing wake-up policies. As a result, adaptive behavior can be observed in the designed platform, to the extent that the transmission data rate is dynamically determined by RF power. Among the novel features of the system, we highlight the use of nano-power energy harvesting, the implementation of specific hardware/software wake-up policies, optimized algorithms for best sampling rate implementation, and adaptive behavior by the node based on the power received. Keywords: wireless sensor networks; RF power transfer; energy harvesting; nano-power DC/DC converter; rectifying antenna; ultra-low power sensor node; adaptive power management 1. Introduction Increasing interest in distributed sensor networks [1] and IoT applications has driven research into the scope of energy harvesting mechanisms towards a more precise field of application. The combination of smart nodes, able to interact with standard wireless communication infrastructures, and energy scavenging modules, which allow nodes to work in a standalone scenario, has proved crucial for the development of both technologies [2]. Since autonomous nodes are expected to operate in very dissimilar surroundings with different energy sources and power densities, the importance of finding efficient ways to exploit available energy is evident, as in many cases the power available from the environment is in the order of microwatts [3] or less. In this context, radio-frequency power harvesting [4,5] represents both a fascinating solution, due to the opportunity of selectively providing energy through dedicated RF Sensors 2017, 17, 1732; doi:10.3390/s17081732 www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors Sensors 2017, 17, 1732 2 of 21 Sensors 2017, 17, 1732 2 of 21 energy showers augmented by smart power beaming techniques [6,7], and a tough challenge because of the limitations imposed by regulations causing very low voltage and power levels as the energydistance showers from the augmented source increases. by smart As power a matter beaming of fact, techniques the most [ 6prohibitive,7], and a tough obstacle challenge to the becausediffusion ofof the RF limitations harvesting imposed nodes byis the regulations lack of causingdedicated very power low voltageconverters and powerable to levels operate as theunder distance these fromconditions. the source However, increases. simply As a developing matter of fact, specific the most power prohibitive converters obstacle or designing to the diffusion more efficient of RF harvestingrectennas nodesis not issufficient: the lack ofpower dedicated management power converters must go ablehand to in operate hand undernot only these with conditions. obvious However,requirements simply in developingterms of ultra-low specific power, power convertersbut also with or designing the development more efficient of specific rectennas policies is not for sufficient:adjusting powerthe behavior management of the node must according go hand into the hand availability not only withof energy. obvious Active requirements interaction in between terms ofthe ultra-low power module power, butand alsosmart with node the is development integral to achieving of specific this policies target. forAnother adjusting important the behavior aspect that of thereinforces node according the need to for the such availability interaction of energy.is the cons Activeiderable interaction difference between between the the power power module profiles and of smartthe harvesting node is integral source to and achieving the active this node; target. while Another the importantformer can aspect be considered that reinforces constant the needor slowly for suchchangeable, interaction the is latter the considerable is characterized difference by short between peak the consumptions, power profiles followed of the harvesting by long sourceinactive andperiods. the active This node; mismatch while thecalls former for canthe beintroducti consideredon constantof storage or slowlyelements, changeable, e.g., capacitors the latter isor characterizedsuper-capacitors, by short which peak must consumptions, be dimensioned followed carefully by long inactiveand considered periods. Thisas an mismatch integral calls part for of theoptimization introduction policies. of storage elements, e.g., capacitors or super-capacitors, which must be dimensioned carefullyThus, and a consideredholistic approach as an integral can best part tackle of optimizationthis type of issue. policies. On the one hand, circuit design aims at minimizingThus, a holistic the approachpower consumption can best tackle of this electron type ofic issue.devices On and, the one on hand,the other circuit hand, design optimized aims at minimizingbehavioral thepolicies power for consumption active node of electronicmodules devicesneed investigating and, on the other with hand, a view optimized to exploiting behavioral the policiesavailable for energy active nodeat its modulesbest. The need solution investigating presented with is designed a view to from exploiting an ultra-low the available power energyapproach, at itswith best. the The introduction solution presented of a custom is designed rectenna, from a dedicated an ultra-low nano-power power approach, DC/DC withconverter the introduction designed to ofoperate a custom down rectenna, to 250 a mV dedicated and 1 μ nano-powerW, and a multi-sensor DC/DC converter node with designed a low-power to operate profile down and to adopting 250 mV anda standard 1 µW, and wireless a multi-sensor communication node with protocol a low-power for IoT. profile In order and adoptingto implement a standard the necessary wireless communicationinteractions between protocol the for IoT.power In ordermanagement to implement subsection the necessary and the interactions active sensor between node, the powerspecific managementcircuitry has subsection been designed, and the dynamically active sensor changing node, specific the behavior circuitry of the has system been designed, according dynamically to different changingscenarios the of behavioravailable of environmental the system according energy. toThe different peculiar scenarios achievement of available obtained environmental through such energy. active Theinteraction peculiar is achievement the possibility obtained to modulate through the transm such activeission interaction data-rate as is a the consequence possibility of to variations modulate in thethe transmission power harvested, data-rate so that as a consequencehigher amount of of variations power causes in the an power automatic harvested, increase so in that the adata-rate higher amountand vice-versa, of power in causes such a anway automatic that the highest increase feasib in thele data-rate is and always vice-versa, obtained. in suchSuch aan way outcome that themay highest have feasiblea considerable data-rate rebound is always on obtained. those applic Suchations an outcome where may high have transmission a considerable rates rebound are not onstrictly those indispensable applications wherebut can high help transmission in building a ratesmore areextensive not strictly information indispensable database but and can therefore help in a buildingmore precise a more behavioral extensive model information for the database monitored and system. therefore a more precise behavioral model for the monitoredIn Figure system. 1 the overall system presented consists of two sub-systems: a harvesting module and a sensingIn Figure node.1 theThe overall interaction system presented presented is consists obtained of twothrough sub-systems:
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