Maximum Power Point Tracking MPPT Algorithm for Kinetic Energy Harvesters

This article presents a universal implementation of a Maximum Power Point Tracking solution for a kinetic energy harvester composed of an electrostatic transducer in association with a capacitive charge pump. The proposed MPPT solution, based on "perturb and observe" method, selects automatically and in real time the optimal electrical state of the charge pump (the voltage of the reservoir capacitor), so to guarantee the maximum of the extracted power under current operation conditions. The proposed solution is implemented alongside a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) which offers a possibility to control the reservoir's voltage.