An Ultra-Low-Power CMOS Supercapacitor Storage Unit for Energy Harvesting Applications

This work presents an ultra-low-power CMOS supercapacitor storage unit suitable for a plethora of low-power autonomous applications. The proposed exploits the unregulated voltage output harvesting circuits (i.e., DC-DC converters) and redirects power to elements working loads. Being able adapt input energy conditions connected loads’ supply demands offers extended survival system with self-startup operation regulation. A low-complexity control is implemented which composed switches, comparators logic gates supervise two supercapacitors, small larger one, as well backup battery. Two separate outputs are offered external load connection can be controlled by (e.g., microcontroller). Furthermore, user-controlled parameters such charging discharging thresholds, provide increased versatility system. was designed fabricated in 0.18 um standard process operates ultra-low current consumption 432 nA at 2.3 V. experimental results validate proper overall structure.