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