‘Complete’ energy harvesting solution
1 min read
Linear Technology has introduced the LTC3588-1, said to be a complete energy harvesting solution optimised for use with low energy sources, including piezoelectric transducers.
The device integrates a low loss, full wave bridge rectifier with a high efficiency buck converter to allow ambient vibrational energy to be harvested via piezoelectric transducers and to then be converted to a regulated output that can supply power to a range of components.
Operating from an input voltage ranging from 2.7 to 20V, the device features a high efficiency buck dc/dc converter that can deliver up to 100mA of continuous output current or even higher pulsed loads. The output voltage can be programmed to one of four fixed voltages (1.8, 2.5, 3.3 or 3.6V) to power a wireless transmitter or sensor. Quiescent current is only 950nA with the output in regulation (at no load), maximising overall efficiency.
Designed to interface directly with a piezoelectric or alternative ac power source, the part can rectify a voltage waveform and store harvested energy in an external storage capacitor while dissipating any excess power via an internal shunt regulator.
The LTC3588-1 requires minimal external components and is supplied in a choice of 3 x 3mm DFN or a thermally enhanced MSOP-10 packages.
