A bipolar output voltage pulse transformer boost converter with charge pump assisted shunt regulator for thermoelectric energy harvesting

This system presents an energy harvesting system that generates bipolar output voltage (±1 V) based on a miniature 1:1 turn-ratio pulse transformer boost converter using sub-threshold level input voltage source. A shunt regulator is designed using six-transistor Schmitt-Trigger core to limit the boost converter output voltage. Another power stage, i.e. a fully integrated on-chip single-stage cross-coupled charge pump, then generates 3 V output from the unused extra output power of boost converter, which is shunted otherwise. The increased voltage headroom generated is instrumental for sensor, analog and RF circuits. Charge pump clock frequency is designed to adaptively tracking the input voltage, which is sensed using power-saving time-domain digital technique. Based on a standard CMOS 0.13-µm technology, chip measurement verified the operations of the boost converter, shunt regulator and bipolar charge pump prototypes, respectively. Simulations confirmed the full system operations. During start-up, the system only requires minimum start-up input voltage of 36 mV at input power of 5.8 µW.