Rechargeable PV eliminates batteries in IoT node-dependent apps

Mouser now stocks the 196 HVC ENYCAP V-Harvester board from Vishay Intertechnology. Maximising IoT node efficiency by helping to replace regular batteries with a rechargeable PV energy-harvesting backup solution, the board is an HVC system backup demonstration circuit that allows developers to extend overall product life expectancy by implementing a longer, more sustainable maintenance-free energy supply source for usage in various host system applications.

The board is an advanced stand-alone board charged utilising two default TEMD5080X01 micro PV cells or micro USB. The evaluation board has a 4F/4.2V 196 HVC ENYCAP hybrid energy storage capacitor. It can jumper to other storage capacitors on the backside (or a BATT_CN = battery connector). Like the 196 HVC ENYCAP found on the board, the storage capacitor is a more dependable option over less cycle-resistant rechargeable batteries and is much safer than lithium batteries.

Input power for the board goes into an e-peas low-power AEM10941 controller. From there, it is stepped up to the supercapacitor voltage of 4.2V. The onboard controller then converts the supply voltage to the target voltages using LDO when there are power demands at the interface or through the ENLV and ENHV settings. Target voltages are set to 1.8V (low voltage) and 2.5V (high voltage) via a high ohmic resistor network. The system's lower series resistance permits higher currents or burst power support and generally enables higher power density. An external PV cell can also be connected (and jumpered) if faster charging is needed, or a jumper can be set to USB if light harvesting is not an option.

The board is available in a 64mm × 69mm footprint and includes product specifications (for the V-Harvester Board and 196 HVC ENYCAP storage capacitor) and a set of jumpers. The device has a higher permissible operating temperature over non-HVC systems of -20C to 85C, and its target energy-harvesting applications include automotive, avionics, defence, consumer, industrial, medical, and telecommunications.