Robust power supply for wireless sensors using the electrostatic field of parts under high voltage

Reducing Technical and financial effort for the instrumentation in the harsh environment of living parts is essential. To do so, an interesting alternative has to be provided in the field of power generation and distribution, wireless and energy autonomous systems. Thereby using the electrostatic field by a capacitive voltage divider provides some advantages, but requires a specific converter structure with high input impedance. An adapted forward converter topology is presented to match the requirements of the source and also the requirements of a wireless sensor system. It is like a passive startup mechanism or a passive control signal generation. A converter prototype has been successfully analyzed within a high voltage test field in order to ensure the main functionality as a power supply for an energy autonomous system.