Practical Implementation of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Synchronized Switching Schemes

Many closed-loop control methods for increasing the power output from piezoelectric energy harvesters have been investigated over the past decade. Initial work started with the application of Maximum Power Point Tracking techniques (MPPT) developed for solar power. More recent schemes have focused on taking advantage of the capacitive nature of piezoelectric harvesters to manipulate the transfer of energy from the piezoelectric to the storage element. There have been a couple of main techniques investigated in the literature: Synchronous Charge Extraction (SCE), Synchronized Switching and Discharging to a Capacitor through an Inductor (SSDCI), Synchronized Switch Harvesting on an Inductor (SSHI), and Piezoelectric Pre-Biasing (PPB). While significant increases in harvested power are seen both theoretically and experimentally using powerful external control systems, the applicability of these methods depends highly on the performance and efficiency of the system which implements the synchronized switching. Many piezoelectric energy harvesting systems are used to power devices controlled by a microcontroller (MCU), making them readily available for switching control methods. This work focuses on the practical questions which dictate the applicability of synchronized switching techniques using MCU-based switching control.