Input-powered energy harvesting interface circuits with zero standby power

This paper presents an input-powered energy-harvesting interface circuit that eliminates standby power consumption by automatically shutting down when the ac input voltage amplitude is too low for successful energy reclamation. The interface comprises an input-powered ac/dc converter and an input-powered dc/dc boost converter that are fabricated in ON Semi 3M-2P 0.5 μm CMOS process. The interface circuit starts up when the ac input amplitude exceeds 1 V and supplies a regulated dc output up to 3 V. When the input amplitude drops below 600 mV, the interface automatically enters standby mode and consumes no power. The system achieves a maximum efficiency of 60% with 1.5 V ac input amplitude and 3 V regulated dc output, delivering 3.9 mW of output power. The interface also functions properly in tests with an electrodynamic (magnetic) vibrational energy harvester.