Design of a multi-input single-output step-up ac/dc converter with bipolar structure

Abstract

For vibration energy harvesting, we propose a multiple-input single-output (MISO) step-up ac/dc converter with bipolar structure in this paper. Unlike existing ac/dc converters for vibration energy harvesting, the proposed ac/dc converter features a bipolar MISO topology that transforms several vibration inputs to provide a step-up voltage. Furthermore, the proposed topology enables inductor-less designs. To clarify the effectiveness of the proposed converter, some computer simulations as well as breadboard-based experimental tests are performed. In the performed simulations, the voltage gain of the proposed converter with 2 modules reaches about 3.5 at 20mW and the power efficiency is about 92% at 20mW when the ac input is 3.5V at 50Hz. Furthermore, the physical feasibility of the proposed topology is proved by the breadboard-based experimental tests.