Energy Harvesting
Demokit Gleanergy
What does Gleanergy mean? We combine the word glean
(meaning to harvest) together with energy, which creates “to harvest energy”, or "Gleanergy"!
Overview
- As sensor nodes become ubiquitous, the need to power wireless sensor nodes from ambient energy sources will be a necessity. Possible ambient energy sources include light, heat, vibration, stress / strain, high intensity AC magnetic fields and micro-sized rotational or oscillatory electromagnetic generators. In many instances a battery will be required to “ride through” the periods of time when the ambient energy source is either not present or not sufficient to power the sensor.
- This development platform demonstrates the ability to utilize any one or multiple ambient energy sources to power a wireless sensor node and extend the life of a primary or secondary battery. A convenient system is provided to enable users to customize the development platform for their specific use case and make a complete working prototype.
Features:
- LTP5901 Dust assembly including ARM Cortex-M3 processor embedded with SmartMesh IP networking software
- E-Ink display for user feedback
- Two coulomb counters for battery data measurement
- Shield board headers DC2510A and programming headers for development ( AppNote is available here).
Getting Started:
- Download the GUI to evaluate board features
- Download IAR Embedded Workbench to write a custom program
- Use a JTAG debugger or Eterna Serial Programmer to upload your program
- Optionally, use DC2510A shield board to connect extra components to the ADCs, GPIOs, and serial ports of the mote
Features:
- On-board thermoelectric generator and solar cells (series or parallel) in DC2344 ( AppNote is available here).
- Rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries
- Four energy harvester ICs which charge / extend life of batteries
- Bank of ceramic capacitors and supercapacitor for energy storage
- Completely customizable IC settings and routing connections
Getting Started:
- Choose an energy harvesting source, battery, and capacitor storage type
- Configure jumpers / switches to match chosen system settings (instructions provided in manual)
- Optionally, move resistor jumpers to change IC settings
- Use regulated output supply to power DC2321A or any load ( AppNote is available here).
Looking for a piezoelectric source to work with Gleanergy?
Mide Engineering Solutions piezoelectric energy harvester (VLT-9001) is capable of harvesting tens of mW of continuous power. The Demokit includes a two layer protected piezoelectric energy harvester, plus hardware for clamping and adding included tuning masses.