Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (SSS), announced that it has developed an energy harvesting module that uses electromagnetic wave noise energy. The recent module applies technology that SSS has cultivated in tuner development process to generate power from electromagnetic wave noise with a high level of productivity. For example, this technology can use constant electromagnetic wave noise generated by robots inside factories, monitors and lighting in offices, monitors and TVs in stores and homes, and like to provide stable power supply needed to run low-power consumption IoT (internet of things) sensors and communications equipment.
With a focus on providing power to increasing number of IoT devices as they grow in popularity and sophistication, this energy harvesting technology demonstrates applications. SSS aims to utilise this new technology as part of its effort to establish a power circulation model, thereby contributing to the development of a sustainable IoT society.
Energy harvesting is a technology that is expected to contribute to both development of IoT and sustainability of global environment, with research being carried out mainly in fields such as electrical waves, light, heat, and vibration. SSS’s recent technology is energy harvesting technology to generate power utilising electromagnetic wave noise that all electrical equipment generates.
Based on antenna technology created during tuner development at SSS, this recent module uses metal parts of electronic devices that serve as source of electromagnetic wave noise as part of an antenna and employs a rectifier circuit with enhanced electricity conversion productivity, for a high original structure. This allows it to convert electromagnetic wave noise in a range of several Hz to 100 MHz into electrical energy and supply power to low power consumption IoT sensors and communications equipment, or to charge batteries, despite its compact size. This is the industry’s initial energy harvesting technology based on this method that achieves productive power generation. By utilising previously ignored electromagnetic wave noise as a recent power source, it enables a stable power supply for equipment.
The minimal number of constituent components used in module yields a compact design that allows for freedom of installation. Also, as long as electronic devices are powered, energy can be harvested even while they are not in active use, making this technology promising in a variety of usage situations such as factories, offices, stores, and homes, both indoors and outdoors.
Main features
- High level of power generation: Utilising electronic equipment that generates electromagnetic wave noise such as household appliances, computers, lighting equipment, vending machines, elevators, automobiles, and industrial equipment as an energy source enables this module to harvest from several dozen μW to several dozen mW of power. Doing so makes it possible to supply power to low power consumption IoT sensors and communications equipment.
- Applicable to a long range of use cases: As long as electronic devices are powered, power can be harvested even when they are not in active use. This method therefore differs from other energy harvesting methods which use sunlight, electrical waves, and temperature differences, all of which are susceptible to environmental factors such as lighting brightness and indoor environments. Thus, recent module enables continuous harvesting. The minimal number of constituent components used in module yields a compact design that allows for greater freedom of installation.
- Device status can be identified: Because this technology continuously harvests electromagnetic wave noise from electronic devices, it can also identify internal status of electronic device by detecting changes in harvested voltage. This means, for instance, that it can be used for applications such as detecting whether lighting is functioning normally or predicting device failure, for example in robots with built-in motors.
SSS looks forward to working with partners from various industries to develop products based on this technology, which shows promise across a variety of applications.
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