System-level simulation of a self-powered sensor with piezoelectric energy harvesting

Abstract

This paper presents a complete system simulation of a self-powered communication module. The components are described with the Verilog-A language, that allows to merge the electrical and mechanical models of the system. The self-powered sensor system is composed by an energy harvesting piezoelectric generator that powers a RF transmitter. The simulations here presented compare between the case of a battery-less and battery-powered system. The results obtained with the simulation model implemented allow to show how design choices of the system change the periodicity of the transmission and the ability to recharge the battery.