VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) plays a crucial role in energy harvesting systems by enabling the miniaturization and integration of various components. VLSI allows energy harvesting circuits to be implemented on a single chip, reducing power losses and maximizing energy conversion efficiency. It also facilitates the integration of low-power microcontrollers, wireless communication modules, and energy storage. This optimization enables energy harvesting systems to efficiently power wireless sensor nodes. As an example, a case study is described that uses a combination of solar and kinetic energy harvesting to reliably power wireless sensors for remote monitoring applications.

1. ENERGY HARVESTING
SYSTEM DESIGN USING
VLSI FOR POWERING
WIRELESS SENSOR
NODES
-VIJAYSATHAPPAN M

2. CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Wireless Sensor Nodes Overview
• Energy Harvesting Technologies
• Energy Harvesting System Components
• VLSI in Energy Harvesting Systems
• VLSI Design Considerations
• Energy Harvester Design
• Power Management Circuit
• Energy Storage System

3. CONTENTS
• Powering Wireless Sensor Nodes
• Case Studies
• System Integration and Performance
• Future Trends
• Conclusion
• References

4. INTRODUCTION
•Energy harvesting is the process of capturing and
converting ambient energy from sources like solar,
wind, vibrations, or heat into electrical power. It
plays a crucial role in powering wireless sensor
nodes by providing sustainable and self-sufficient
energy, eliminating the need for batteries, and
enabling continuous and autonomous operation.

5. •Energy harvesting captures ambient energy (solar,
wind, vibrations, heat) and converts it into electrical
power. It is crucial for powering wireless sensor
nodes, ensuring autonomous operation without
battery replacement. This sustainable approach
extends sensor node lifespan and enhances their
efficiency in various applications.

6. BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF VLSI
IN ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEMS.
• VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) plays a crucial role in energy
harvesting systems by integrating various components onto a single
chip. VLSI technology allows the design and implementation of highly
efficient power management circuits, analog-to-digital converters, and
sensor interfaces. It enables the miniaturization of energy harvesting
modules, reducing power losses and maximizing energy conversion
efficiency. Additionally, VLSI facilitates the integration of low-power
microcontrollers, wireless communication modules, and energy storage
elements, optimizing the overall performance of energy harvesting
systems and enabling their seamless integration into compact and
energy-efficient wireless sensor nodes.

7. • The application of VLSI in energy harvesting systems is widespread and diverse.
Some notable applications include:
1.Wireless Sensor Networks:
2. Wearable Devices
3. Internet of Things (IoT) Devices
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Structural Health Monitoring:
6. Smart Agriculture

8. WIRELESS SENSOR NODES
OVERVIEW
• Wireless sensor nodes are compact devices equipped
with various sensors, communication modules, and often
energy harvesting capabilities. They are designed to
monitor, collect, and transmit data from the surrounding
environment or specific objects without the need for wired
connections. These nodes play a critical role in various
applications, such as environmental monitoring, industrial
automation, healthcare, smart cities, and agriculture.

9. WIRELESS SENSOR NODES
OVERVIEW
• Key components of wireless sensor nodes include:
1.Sensors
2.Microcontroller
3.Wireless Communication
4.Energy Source
5.Power Management Circuitry
6.Data Processing and Storage
7.Housing and Enclosure

10. APPLICATION
• Environmental Monitoring
• Industrial Automation
• Smart Agriculture:
• Structural Health Monitoring:
• Healthcare and Medical Monitoring
• Smart Cities
• Home Automation
• Wildlife Tracking
• Disaster Management

11. WIRELESS SENSOR NODES
OVERVIEW
• Applications of wireless sensor nodes include environmental
monitoring (air quality, water quality, weather), structural health
monitoring, asset tracking, home automation, healthcare
monitoring, smart agriculture, and many others. They offer the
advantages of easy deployment, scalability, cost-effectiveness,
and the ability to create large sensor networks that can cover
extensive areas and provide real-time data for decision-making
and analysis. As advancements in technology continue, wireless
sensor nodes are becoming more sophisticated, capable, and
integrated into various aspects of our daily lives and industries.

12. CHALLENGES
• Powering wireless sensor nodes comes with several challenges that need to be addressed
for successful and sustainable deployment:
1.Energy Harvesting Efficiency
2. Power Consumption Optimization
3. Limited Energy Storage
4. Energy Harvesting Variability
5. Compact Design
6. Environmental Conditions
7. Scalability and Maintenance
8. Cost
9. Security:

13. ENERGY HARVESTING
TECHNOLOGIES
• Energy harvesting technologies harness different sources of ambient energy and
convert them into electrical power. Here's an overview of various energy harvesting
technologies:
• Solar Energy Harvesting
• Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting
Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting

14. • Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting
RF (Radio Frequency) Energy Harvesting
• Wind Energy Harvesting
• Tidal and Wave Energy Harvesting

15. PROS AND CONS OF EACH
TECHNOLOGY.
1.Solar Energy Harvesting:
• Pros:
• Abundant and renewable energy source.
• Suitable for a wide range of applications and environments.
• Cons:
• Efficiency can be affected by weather conditions and obstructions.
• Requires a larger surface area to generate significant power.
2.Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting:
• Pros:
• Efficient at converting mechanical vibrations into electricity.
• Suitable for applications with frequent mechanical movements, such as wearable devices or
industrial machinery.

16. • Cons:
• Limited energy output from low-frequency vibrations.
• Mechanical fatigue over time may reduce performance.
• Less effective in static environments with minimal vibrations.
3.Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting:
• Pros:
• Can harvest energy from a variety of sources, including vibrations and
electromagnetic fields.
• Cons:
• Requires close proximity to electromagnetic sources or strong vibrations for efficient
energy harvesting.
4.Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting:
• Pros:
• Suitable for applications with temperature gradients or waste heat.
• Long operational life with minimal moving parts.

17. • Cons:
• Lower efficiency compared to other energy harvesting methods.
• Limited power output, suitable for low-power applications.
5.RF (Radio Frequency) Energy Harvesting:
• Pros:
• Low-cost and easy to implement in small devices.
• Works in areas with RF signals present, such as urban environments.
• Cons:
• Lower energy density in typical environments.
• Efficiency depends on the strength of available RF signals.
6.Vibration Energy Harvesting:
• Pros:
• Efficient energy conversion from vibrations to electricity.
Cons:
• Limited energy output from low-amplitude vibrations.
• Performance may degrade over time due to mechanical fatigue.

18. 7.Wind Energy Harvesting:
Pros:
• Suitable for remote areas with sufficient wind resources.
Cons:
• Requires specific wind conditions to generate significant power.
8.Motion Energy Harvesting:
Pros:
• Harvests energy from human motion, making it suitable for wearable devices.
Cons:
• Limited energy output from small and infrequent motions.
• Efficiency depends on the user's activity level.
• Not suitable for applications with minimal hum

19. 9.Thermal Energy Harvesting:
• Pros:
• Suitable for low-power applications with temperature variations.
• Harvests waste heat, promoting energy efficiency.
• Cons:
• Lower efficiency compared to some other energy harvesting technologies.
10.Tidal and Wave Energy Harvesting:
• Pros:
• Renewable and predictable energy source.
• Cons:
• High setup and maintenance costs for offshore installations.
• Environmental impact and navigational concerns in marine ecosystems.

20. ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
• Energy Harvester: The energy harvester is the core component of the system
responsible for capturing ambient energy from sources such as solar radiation,
mechanical vibrations, thermal gradients, or electromagnetic fields.
• Power Management Circuit: The power management circuit is essential for
efficiently regulating and converting the energy harvested by the energy harvester.
• Energy Storage Element: An energy storage element, such as a battery or
supercapacitor, is used to store excess energy harvested by the energy harvester
during peak energy generation.
• Wireless Sensor Node: The wireless sensor node includes the various sensors,
microcontroller, wireless communication module, and other components necessary
to collect data from the environment, process it, and wirelessly transmit it to a
central gateway or receiver.

21. ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM
COMPONENTS

23. VLSI IN ENERGY HARVESTING
SYSTEMS
The architecture of an energy harvesting system
typically consists of three main components: the
energy source, the energy conversion circuit, and
the energy storage device. The energy source can
be any type of renewable energy, such as solar,
thermal, or kinetic. The energy conversion circuit is
used to convert the energy from the source into a
usable form, such as electrical energy. Finally, the
energy storage device is used to store the converted
energy for later use.

24. VLSI IN ENERGY HARVESTING
SYSTEMS
• VLSI design plays a crucial role in the design of energy
harvesting systems. VLSI design tools and techniques are used
to design the energy conversion circuit and the power
management circuit. These circuits are designed to be highly
efficient, so that the maximum amount of energy can be
harvested from the energy source and stored in the energy
storage device. Additionally, VLSI design is used to integrate the
energy harvesting system with the wireless sensor node, which
allows for wireless communication and data transfer.

25. HOW VLSI ENABLES ENERGY-
EFFICIENT POWER MANAGEMENT
AND CONTROL.
• Integration of Power Management Circuits: VLSI allows the integration of power
management circuits onto a single chip, which reduces the number of discrete components
and interconnections.
• Low-Power Microcontrollers: VLSI technology enables the design and implementation of
low-power microcontrollers.
• Adaptive Power Regulation: VLSI-based power management circuits can dynamically adjust
power levels based on the system's requirements and environmental conditions
• Energy Harvesting Optimization: VLSI allows for advanced algorithms and control
mechanisms to optimize energy harvesting.
• Smart Power Switching: VLSI technology allows the integration of smart power switches,
which control the power supply to different parts of the system.
• Energy Monitoring and Feedback Control: VLSI-based systems can include energy
monitoring circuits to measure the power consumption of various components.

26. ENERGY HARVESTING CIRCUIT
DESIGN
• Energy harvesting circuits are designed using VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration)
techniques to efficiently convert and store energy from the environment. These circuits
typically consist of a power management unit, an energy storage device, and a voltage
regulator. The power management unit is responsible for managing the energy flow and
ensuring that the energy harvested is stored efficiently. The energy storage device can be a
rechargeable battery or a supercapacitor, depending on the application. The voltage
regulator ensures that the output voltage of the circuit remains constant even as the input
voltage varies.
• There are several different energy harvesting circuit designs that can be used depending on
the type of energy being harvested. For example, a solar cell-based energy harvesting circuit
would require a different design than a thermoelectric generator-based circuit. Some
common energy harvesting circuit designs include buck-boost converters, boost converters,
and flyback converters. Each of these designs has its own advantages and disadvantages
and must be carefully selected based on the specific requirements of the application.

27. ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM
INTEGRATION
• Energy harvesting systems are integrated with wireless sensor nodes to provide a
continuous source of power. One technique for integration is to use a power
management circuit that regulates the output voltage of the energy harvesting
system and charges a battery or capacitor. This stored energy can then be used to
power the wireless sensor node when the energy harvesting system is not
generating enough power.
• Another technique for integration is to use an energy harvesting system that is
specifically designed for the wireless sensor node. This can involve designing a
custom energy harvesting circuit that matches the specific power requirements of
the sensor node. In some cases, the energy harvesting system may be integrated
directly into the sensor node itself.

28. CHALLENGES IN ENERGY
HARVESTING SYSTEM DESIGN
Designing an energy harvesting system can be a
daunting task due to the many challenges faced.
One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that the
energy harvesting circuitry is efficient enough to
extract maximum power from the energy source.
This requires careful selection and optimization of
components such as rectifiers, voltage regulators,
and energy storage devices.

29. CHALLENGES IN ENERGY
HARVESTING SYSTEM DESIGN
• Another challenge is designing the system to be robust
enough to handle varying environmental conditions and
energy sources. For example, solar panels may not
provide a consistent amount of energy throughout the day
due to changes in weather and cloud cover. To overcome
this challenge, designers must incorporate intelligent
algorithms and control systems that can adapt to
changing conditions and optimize energy usage.

30. APPLICATIONS OF ENERGY
HARVESTING SYSTEMS
One of the most exciting applications of
energy harvesting systems is in the field of
smart buildings. By using energy harvesting
systems to power wireless sensor nodes,
building managers can monitor and
control a wide range of building systems,
from lighting and HVAC to security and
access control.

31. ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES
Energy storage devices are an
essential component of energy
harvesting systems. They store the
harvested energy for later use
when the demand for power is
high. There are several types of
energy storage devices used in
energy harvesting systems,
including batteries,
supercapacitors, and flywheels.

32. ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES
• Batteries are the most commonly used energy storage
devices in energy harvesting systems. They can store a
large amount of energy and provide a stable output
voltage. Supercapacitors, on the other hand, can store
less energy than batteries but can deliver it quickly when
needed. Flywheels are also used as energy storage
devices in some applications. They store energy in the
form of rotational kinetic energy and can deliver it quickly
when needed.

33. CASE STUDY
Energy harvesting for wireless sensor nodes
In this case study, we will examine an energy
harvesting system designed to power wireless
sensor nodes in a remote monitoring application.
The system uses a combination of solar and kinetic
energy sources to provide a reliable source of power
for the sensors.

34. CASE STUDY
• The system has been in operation for over a year and has
demonstrated significant improvements in reliability and
efficiency compared to battery-powered systems. In
addition, the use of energy harvesting has eliminated the
need for frequent battery replacements, reducing
maintenance costs and environmental impact.

35. CASE STUDY
• "A Fully Integrated Indoor Light Energy Harvesting System for
Low-Power Applications" (2015): This research paper presents a
VLSI-based energy harvesting system that efficiently converts
indoor light energy into electrical power. The system includes a
photovoltaic energy converter, an ultra-low-power DC-DC
converter, and an energy management unit. The design enables
the system to operate autonomously and power low-power
devices, making it suitable for batteryless and wireless
applications.

36. CASE STUDY
• "An Integrated IoT Node Powered by On-Chip Solar Cells
and Vibration Energy Harvesting" (2017): This case study
demonstrates a VLSI-based energy harvesting system for
Internet of Things (IoT) nodes. It combines solar cells and
vibration energy harvesting to scavenge energy from the
environment. The integrated design allows for extended
autonomous operation of IoT devices, reducing the need
for frequent battery replacements and enabling
sustainable deployment.

37. FUTURE TRENDS
•Self-Powered IoT Networks: The integration of energy harvesting and VLSI technologies is paving the
way for self-powered IoT networks. These networks consist of energy-autonomous sensor nodes that
communicate and collaborate without relying on external power sources. This trend is crucial for scalable
IoT deployments in remote and challenging environments.
•Energy Harvesting for Wearables: The convergence of energy harvesting and wearable technology is
another emerging trend. As wearable devices become more prevalent in healthcare, fitness, and personal
monitoring, energy harvesting technologies offer a means of sustainable power supply, reducing the
reliance on frequent battery replacements.

38. CONCLUSION
• In conclusion, energy harvesting system design using VLSI for
powering wireless sensor nodes is an important and relevant
topic in today's world. By using energy harvesting, we can reduce
our reliance on batteries and increase efficiency while also
lowering our environmental impact. The advantages of energy
harvesting systems, including increased reliability and reduced
maintenance costs, make them a compelling choice for many
applications.

39. CONCLUSION
• Throughout this presentation, we have explored the
different components of energy harvesting systems,
including the energy source, energy storage, and power
management circuitry. We have also discussed the
challenges that come with designing these systems and
the solutions to these challenges. Finally, we have looked
at the future trends in energy harvesting system design
and the benefits of using VLSI in the design process.

40. REFERENCE
• 1. S. Roundy, P.K. Wright, and J.M. Rabaey, Energy Scavenging for Wireless
Sensor Networks with Special Focus on Vibrations, Kluwer Academic Publishers,
2004.
• 2. A. Chandrakasan, R. Min, and T. Noh, Low-Power CMOS Design for Wireless
Transceivers, IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 38, no. 10, pp. 1747-1756,
Oct. 2003.
• 3. Y. Huang, B. Otis, and M.A. Horowitz, A 10nW 1.2V Subthreshold SRAM for
Ultra-Low-Power Applications, IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 40, no. 1,
pp. 235-241, Jan. 2005.
• 4. C. Boit, E. Popovici, F. Théodore, and O. Berder, Energy Harvesting for
Autonomous Systems, Wiley, 2010.

41. THANK YOU