Energy Scavengers : Modeling and Behavior with Different Load Circuits

This contribution describes the modeling of vibration-driven energy scavengers, either based on electrostatic, electromagnetic or piezoelectric principles. Subsequently, the behavior of the scavenger model is tested with two different types of load: a resistive load and a rectifier with a fixed voltage at the output. Optimal power output of the scavenger is calculated for both load-cases. It is shown that a resistance is not in all cases the most optimal load to maximize the power output of a scavenger. This conclusion has a big influence on the design of the power management circuit, needed to transform the scavenger output voltages to an appropriate shape for powering an electronic load.