Design methodology for energy harvesting microsystems

A harvesting microsystem is a heterogeneous component that is to say with at least one element none strictly electric. Several key points have to be taken into account to achieve a design of this kind of system: software-hardware partitioning, multi-physics simulation, 3D integration. This article introduces a top down methodology from specifications to layout. After a focus on specificities and needs of autonomous microsystems, the proposed methodology will be used to design an autonomous power generator unit including two micropower sources and their management IC: a RF power receiver and a IV miniature thermogenerator with a dedicated DC/DC up converter are combined with an manager and charger, and a discharge monitor to manage and store the harvested energy in an above-IC microbattery.Finally, consumption reduction by specified static and dynamic architecture and regulation between load and source will introduce the need of energy optimization algorithm in the proposed methodology.