Power-Over-Fiber for Internet of Thing Devices

Living in the era of technology, the advancement of Internet of Things (IoTs) devices is of particular research interest. Conventionally, copper wire is used to transmit power and to power up electronic devices, nevertheless things become less handy when there is any power outage or during any emergency condition. This article demonstrates a power distribution system using optical fiber as an alternative to supply sufficient power to power up IoT devices. This power distribution system includes laser diodes, 300 m of optical fiber cable, and photovoltaic power converter (PPC). The maximum optical input power feed to 300 m of optical fiber was 2242 mW and optical power obtained at end of the fiber was 1306 mW. The average efficiency achieved by the 300 m optical fiber cable was 58%, while maximum efficiency obtained by the whole system was 16.5% at 2.5 A of injected current. This study successfully demonstrates the proof of concept of power over fiber (PoF) to power up IoT devices such as temperature and humidity sensors.