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About AKM
Multiplexing of power generation methods
Energy Harvesting
We introduce here a new stable voltage securing method that combines multi-cell solar cells with various power generation methods.
AP4470 Series and AP4473 enable energy harvesting even when the power generated by the generator is as low as a macro watt level. AP4470 series. which is activated with 1μW as the minimum, can cope with a power source of unstable output, and AP4473 that has been developed for thermoelectric generation starts up the voltage booster with the input-voltage of 15mV as the minimum. In addition, power can be efficiently managed with 52nA current consumption by combining several power generator also.
Consider AP4470 Series and AP4473 to maximize the effects of the limited energy and keep your system running continuously.
The system can also be operated even if the power generator has low output power, voltage, or current.
When the output power is small, such as bio-fuel-cell or microbial power generation, AP4470 series is suitable. When the output power is small, such as thermoelectric power generation, AP4473 is suitable. The energy harvesting IC of Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) can also be connected to power generation elements that do not require boosting, such as 6-cell solar cells, and therefore is suitable for use in low current output environments.
AP4470 Series suitable for low power generation devices
The power boost circuit of AP4470 series power is activated at lower power even as low as 1μW. Therefore, even in cases where the generated power changes over time, such as bio-batteries and microbial power generation, boosting the voltage is possible.
AP4473 specializing in thermoelectric power generation
In thermoelectric power generation using the Seebeck effect, in an environment without a cooling source, heat is transferred from the heat source over time, and the output voltage decreases over time. Furthermore, because of the low internal impedance of the thermoelectric generator, an IC with a dedicated step-up circuit with low starting voltage and low input impedance is required. The AP4473, which is equipped with a step-up circuit specialized for thermoelectric power generation, is suitable for this application.
Multiplexing with multi-cell solar cells and low-current energy harvesting
When a multi-cell solar cell is used, a booster circuit is not required because it is capable of outputting approximately 3V without a booster circuit. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the voltage of the storage device by combining it with other power generatorwhile directly charging it from the solar battery to the storage device. In addition, when the voltage booster is not used, the operating current of IC is only 26nA, so the self-consumption of the energy obtained from the solar cell is suppressed as much as possible. Therefore, it is suitable for energy harvesting in conditions with small output current, such as in small solar cells or low-illuminance environments.
Monitoring a voltage boosted by using a comparator
Because the boosted voltage is monitored with a small amount of quiescent current, a power at the micro level such as that available through energy harvesting can be used as a power supply without any waste.
Lineup
Please check this attractive energy harvesting IC lineup of AKM.