A power management apparatus 20 comprises a first energy harvesting input channel 21; a first energy storage element connection 25; an inductor connection 27; and a switching circuit 28. A controller 30 is configured to operate the switching circuit 28 to transfer energy between the first energy harvesting input channel 21 and the first energy storage element connection 25 by a sequence of energy transfer cycles. Each of the energy transfer cycles comprises an energise phase in which energy is transferred from the first energy harvesting input channel 21 to the inductor connection 25 for an energise time (tE) and a de-energise phase. The first energy harvesting input channel 21 is capable of receiving an AC electrical signal and a DC electrical signal. The controller 30 is configured to determine a type of an electrical signal received at the first energy harvesting input channel 21, where the type is one of an AC electrical signal and a DC electrical signal, and determine an energise time (tE) and a harvesting cycle period (tP) for the switching circuit 28 based on the determined type.
H02J 1/12 - Parallel operation of dc generators with converters, e.g. with mercury-arc rectifier
H02J 3/46 - Controlling the sharing of output between the generators, converters, or transformers
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
H02J 50/00 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
H02M 1/10 - Arrangements incorporating converting means for enabling loads to be operated at will from different kinds of power supplies, e.g. from AC or DC
H02M 3/156 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
H02M 5/293 - Conversion of AC power input into AC power output, e.g. for change of voltage, for change of frequency, for change of number of phases without intermediate conversion into DC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
2.
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FOR OPTIMIZING AUTOMATED ZOOM IN MOTION AREA OF IMAGE
The present invention concerns an integrated circuit of an image capture device for automatically optimizing a ratio (A1 / A0) of an output image area (A1) to a main window area (A0) and optimizing, preferably maximizing a product D1 x A1 of an output pixel density (D1) multiplied by the output image area (A1) of a motion detection area defining an output image (P1) composed of a predefined maximum number of pixels (N1m). The integrated circuit comprises an array of photosensors for capturing an input image (P0), and a processing unit configured for carrying out the following actions, - in an image detection mode, a sequence of successive reference images (Prefj) are captured at different times with a subarray of Nr reference photosensors, and a number (Nm) of motion pixels (pm) are determined whose value differences between two reference images exceed a predefined threshold variation for detecting a movement in a region of the reference images, and switching to - in an image capture mode, wherein the parameters of an output image to be captured are defined as follows: • an output window (W1) of an output window area (A1) which encloses at least a predefined number (Nmt) of motion pixels (pm), and • an output pixel density D1 = N1 / A1 ≤DO, with N1 ≤N1 m • capture the output image (P1) defined by the output window (W1) having the output window area (A1) and output pixel density (D1), transferring the output image (P1) comprising N1 pixels out of the integrated circuit.
H04N 25/443 - Extracting pixel data from image sensors by controlling scanning circuits, e.g. by modifying the number of pixels sampled or to be sampled by partially reading an SSIS array by reading pixels from selected 2D regions of the array, e.g. for windowing or digital zooming
H04N 25/46 - Extracting pixel data from image sensors by controlling scanning circuits, e.g. by modifying the number of pixels sampled or to be sampled by combining or binning pixels
A power management apparatus 20 comprises: a plurality of energy harvesting input channels 21-24; a first energy storage element connection for connecting to an energy storage element 32; an inductor connection 27; and a switching circuit 28. A controller 30 operates the switching circuit to transfer energy between the energy harvesting input channels 21-24 and the first energy storage element connection 25 by a sequence of energy transfer cycles. Each energy harvesting input channel 21-24 is allocated a plurality of the energy transfer cycles. The controller 30 determines operating parameters for operating the switching circuit 28 which transfer a maximum power from the electrical energy harvesting source connected to the energy harvesting input channel and a maximum power inductor utilisation factor. The controller 30 determines a set of adjusted operating parameters for sharing use of the inductor between the plurality of energy harvesting input channels 21-24. An energy harvesting input channel 21-24 is selected for adjustment based on an effect of a change in the inductor utilisation factor and a corresponding change in power of the energy harvesting input channel.
A power management apparatus 20 comprises a first energy harvesting input channel 21; a first energy storage element connection 25; an inductor connection 27; and a switching circuit 28. A controller 30 is configured to operate the switching circuit 28 to transfer energy between the first energy harvesting input channel 21 and the first energy storage element connection 25 by a sequence of energy transfer cycles. Each of the energy transfer cycles comprises an energise phase in which energy is transferred from the first energy harvesting input channel 21 to the inductor connection 25 for an energise time (tE) and a de-energise phase. The first energy harvesting input channel 21 is capable of receiving an AC electrical signal and a DC electrical signal. The controller 30 is configured to determine a type of an electrical signal received at the first energy harvesting input channel 21, where the type is one of an AC electrical signal and a DC electrical signal, and determine an energise time (tE) and a harvesting cycle period (tP) for the switching circuit 28 based on the determined type.
H02J 50/00 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
H02J 1/12 - Parallel operation of dc generators with converters, e.g. with mercury-arc rectifier
H02J 3/46 - Controlling the sharing of output between the generators, converters, or transformers
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
H02M 1/10 - Arrangements incorporating converting means for enabling loads to be operated at will from different kinds of power supplies, e.g. from AC or DC
H02M 3/156 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
H02M 5/293 - Conversion of AC power input into AC power output, e.g. for change of voltage, for change of frequency, for change of number of phases without intermediate conversion into DC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
The invention relates to a semiconductor device (10) having a plurality of operating modes, a core (12) adapted for executing a software application (14), said software application (14) being adapted for selecting the configuration of one or more of peripherals (60) and for issuing a sleep request; a Power Management Unit (PMU) (130), having a first input port (132) for receiving the configuration of one or more of said peripherals, a second input port (134) for receiving a sleep request from said core (12) executing said software application (14), and a control logic module (136) configured for, upon receiving said sleep request, selecting an operating mode among said plurality of operating modes, in dependence of the configuration of one or more of said peripherals, and to a method of operating said device.
A method for energy harvesting is provided that uses an auxiliary energy storage device as a voltage source for the controller of a main voltage converter system. The auxiliary energy storage device is initially charged with a cold-start voltage converter and thereafter a main voltage converter system is charging a first rechargeable energy storage device until an upper charging threshold level is reached. The voltage of the auxiliary energy storage device is monitored and kept equal to a target value suitable for operating the controller, or alternatively within a predefined voltage range corresponding to the supply voltage range for the controller. A power management integrated circuit for energy harvesting is provided that includes a cold-start and a main voltage converter system, an internal voltage node is kept at a target value or within a voltage range suitable as a supply voltage for the controller.
H02J 50/00 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
H02J 7/34 - Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other DC sources, e.g. providing buffering
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
H02M 3/158 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load
The present disclosure relates to a power management device comprising a voltage converter, a power point tracker for determining an optimum operational voltage for extracting power and a controller. The device is characterized in that it comprises a sensing device configured for: i) monitoring an energy harvesting signal indicative of a presence of harvestable power from the energy source, ii) comparing the energy harvesting signal with a first threshold value, and iii) if the energy harvesting signal has increased from a value below to a value above the first threshold value then generating a trigger signal. The controller is configured for performing first energy harvesting as long as the sensing device has not generated the trigger signal comprising: cyclically operating the power point tracker for determining a first target voltage and operating and regulating the voltage converter at the first target voltage, and for performing second energy harvesting if the sensing device is generating the first trigger signal comprising: operating the power point tracker and determining a second target voltage in response to the generation of the first trigger signal by the sensing device, and operating and regulating the voltage converter at the second target voltage if the power point tracker has completed determining the second target voltage.
A solar-powered device (1) employing a power management system (50) and method is disclosed. The device (1) comprises: an array (10) of one or more solar cells (12) for converting ambient light into a solar source voltage (Vsrc); an energy storage device, such as a secondary battery (20); a load (30) that is powered when the device (1) operates; and a power management system (50) for receiving and monitoring the solar source voltage (Vsrc) to harvest energy therefrom, the power management system (50) generating a load voltage (Vload) to power the load (30) and a storage voltage (Vbat) to charge the energy storage device (20). While the device (1) operates and when the solar source voltage (Vsrc) is above a first threshold voltage (Vth1), the power management system (50) is configured to operate in an active supply (A) mode in which the system (50) continually monitors the solar source voltage (Vsrc) and harvests energy from the array, and while the device (1) operates and when the solar source voltage (Vsrc) is below the first threshold voltage (Vth1), the power management system (50) is configured tooperate in at least one low-power (LS1, LS2, DS) mode in which the system (50) does not monitor the solar source voltage (Vsrc), only monitors the solar source voltage (Vsrc) when one or more conditions are met, or monitors the solar source voltage (Vsrc) at a reduced rate in comparison to the continual monitoring in the active supply mode.
Batt1 between a lower and an upper threshold value. The method further includes steps of charging a second rechargeable storage device and operating the voltage converter system for transferring charges from the second to the first rechargeable storage device. An integrated circuit for energy harvesting is provided in which a terminal connectable with a second rechargeable storage device is switchably coupled to both the input and the output of the voltage converter system.
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
H02J 7/34 - Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other DC sources, e.g. providing buffering
H02J 50/00 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
H02M 3/158 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load
10.
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ENERGY HARVESTING USING A COLD-START VOLTAGE CONVERTER
The invention relates to a method for energy harvesting. The method uses an auxiliary energy storage device as a voltage source for the controller of a main voltage converter system. The auxiliary energy storage device is initially charged with a cold-start voltage converter and thereafter a main voltage converter system is charging a first rechargeable energy storage device until an upper charging threshold level is reached. The voltage of the auxiliary energy storage device is monitored and kept equal to a target value suitable for operating the controller, or alternatively within a predefined voltage range corresponding to the supply voltage range for operating the controller of the main voltage converter system. The invention is also related to a power management integrated circuit for energy harvesting comprising a cold-start and a main voltage converter system, and wherein an internal voltage node is kept at a target value or within a voltage range suitable as a supply voltage for the controller of the main voltage converter system.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Semiconductors, microcontrollers; downloadable computer software applications for operating semiconductors and microcontrollers; recorded computer software applications for operating semiconductors and microcontrollers
12.
Method and device for charging a storage device with energy from an energy harvester
A method for charging a storage device, such as a capacitor or a supercapacitor, with energy from an energy harvester and using a voltage converter having a coldstart voltage convertor and a main voltage converter is provided. After charging a buffer capacitor with the coldstart voltage converter up to the first voltage V1, the method repetitively performs steps of a) charging the buffer capacitor with the main voltage converter up to a voltage V2>V1, followed by transferring charges from the buffer capacitor to the storage device, b) stopping transferring charges to the storage device when the voltage of the buffer capacitor is below a third voltage value V3, with V1
in and based on a comparison of this parameter with one or more parameter reference values. The PMIC further includes a controller configured for defining a maximum peak current of the current pulses based on the input and output voltages of the voltage converter and based on the power mode selected.
Batt1Batt1Batt1 between a lower and an upper threshold value. The method further comprises steps of charging a second rechargeable storage device and operating the voltage converter system for transferring charges from the second to the first rechargeable storage device. The invention also relates to an integrated circuit for energy harvesting wherein a terminal connectable with a second rechargeable storage device is switchably coupled to both the input and the output of the voltage converter system.
An integrated circuit (IC) for energy harvesting is provided. The IC includes a voltage converter for converting an input power into an output power and a power point tracker for determining a target voltage for regulating the input voltage of the voltage converter. The IC includes an interface circuit to exchange information between the controller of the IC and one or more additional IC's for energy harvesting. The controller of the IC is configured to enable switching to a normal operating state on condition that a trigger signal from the interface circuit changes from a first reference value to a second reference value. The controller is further configured for outputting a status signal to the interface circuit wherein the status signal indicates if the power point tracker is enabled or disabled.
A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) is provided for extracting power from an energy harvester. The PMIC includes a power point tracker configured for defining an optimum operational voltage for efficiently extracting power from any type of energy harvesters such as electromagnetic energy sources, photovoltaic cells or thermal electric generators. The power management integrated circuit (PMIC) also relates to an energy harvesting system that includes an electromagnetic energy source and an impedance connected to the PMIC.
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
G05F 1/67 - Regulating electric power to the maximum power available from a generator, e.g. from solar cell
H02M 1/36 - Means for starting or stopping converters
H02M 3/158 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load
H02M 3/07 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using resistors or capacitors, e.g. potential divider using capacitors charged and discharged alternately by semiconductor devices with control electrode
A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) is provided for managing energy from an energy harvester. The PMIC includes a voltage converter and switches configured for switchable connecting an input of the voltage converter with either a first input terminal connectable to the energy harvester or with a second input terminal connectable with a primary battery. The PMIC further includes a controller for driving the switches based on energy status signals related to the energy storage device and/or the energy harvester. The power management integrated circuit (PMIC) is also related to an energy harvesting system that includes a PMIC, an energy harvester connected to the first input terminal, an energy storage device connected to the output terminal, and a primary battery connected to the second input terminal.
st-refst-refst-ref < V3. The invention is also related to a power management integrated circuit for charging a storage device according to the method of invention.
in in and based on a comparison of this parameter with one or more parameter reference values. The PMIC further comprises a controller configured for defining a maximum peak current of the current pulses based on the input and output voltages of the voltage converter and based on the power mode selected.
The present invention concerns an integrated circuit (IC) for energy harvesting. The IC comprises a voltage converter for converting an input power into an output power and a power point tracker for determining a target voltage for regulating the input voltage of the voltage converter. The IC comprises an interface circuit to exchange information between the controller of the IC and one or more additional IC s for energy harvesting. The controller of the IC is configured to enable switching to a normal operating state on condition that a trigger signal from the interface circuit changes from a first reference value to a second reference value. The controller is further configured for outputting a status signal to the interface circuit wherein the status signal indicates if the power point tracker is enabled or disabled.
G05F 1/67 - Regulating electric power to the maximum power available from a generator, e.g. from solar cell
H02M 3/156 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
H02J 3/38 - Arrangements for parallelly feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
22.
POWER MANAGEMENT INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FOR ENERGY HARVESTING WITH PRIMARY BATTERY INPUT
The present invention concerns a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) for managing energy from an energy harvester. The PMIC comprises a voltage converter and switches configured for switchable connecting an input of the voltage converter with either a first input terminal connectable to the energy harvester or with a second input terminal connectable with a primary battery. The PMIC further comprises a controller for driving the switches based on energy status signals related to the energy storage device and/or the energy harvester. The invention is also related to an energy harvesting system comprising a PMIC, an energy harvester connected to the first input terminal, an energy storage device connected to the output terminal and a primary battery connected to the second input terminal.
H02J 9/06 - Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting in which the distribution system is disconnected from the normal source and connected to a standby source with automatic change-over
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
H02J 7/35 - Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other DC sources, e.g. providing buffering with light sensitive cells
H02M 3/156 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
The present invention concerns a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) for extracting power from an energy harvester (40). The PMIC comprises a power point tracker (30) configured for defining an optimum operational voltage for efficiently extracting power from any type of energy harvesters such as electromagnetic energy sources, photovoltaic cells or thermal electric generators. The present invention also relates to an energy harvesting system comprising an electromagnetic energy source and an impedance (45) connected to the PMIC.
The present invention concerns a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) for extracting power from an energy harvester. The PMIC comprises a voltage converter to convert an input power at a voltage Vin into an output power at an output voltage Vout- vc. The voltage converter comprises, in addition to a main voltage converter circuit, also a cold-start circuit for starting the voltage converter from an OFF state. The PMIC comprises an input terminal for receiving a voltage VEN-CS proportional to the converter input voltage Vin and a voltage comparator for comparing the voltage VEN-CS with a reference voltage Vref. A controller enables the cold-start circuit when VEN-CS ≥ Vref.
H02M 1/36 - Means for starting or stopping converters
H02M 3/156 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
H02M 3/07 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using resistors or capacitors, e.g. potential divider using capacitors charged and discharged alternately by semiconductor devices with control electrode
A switching circuit, electrical energy converter, power management unit and energy harvesting system are described. Such apparatus is applicable to energy harvesting applications which involve a variety of transducers, either singly or simultaneously. The transducers may, for example, be photovoltaic, thermoelectric, piezoelectric, or electrodynamic. The described converters operate to convert impedances, voltages and currents. They incorporate inductive energy transfer elements, which are magnetically coupled. Different combinations of these energy transfer elements are used to obtain different conversion ratios, which can be referred to as “gears”. On the input side, having multiple gears enables easier and better matching to a wider variety of energy transducers. On the output side, it enables easier and better accommodation of a wider spread of energy storage voltages and of a wider variety of loads. Benefits include greater deployment flexibility, lower inventory cost, higher energy extraction, and higher conversion efficiency.
H02M 3/335 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output with intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate AC using devices of a triode or a transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
H02M 3/06 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using resistors or capacitors, e.g. potential divider
H02M 3/155 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
H02M 3/156 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
