Power conditioning circuitry for a self-powered mobile system based on an array of micro PZT generators in a 0.13μm technology

In this paper we present the conception and design of a power conditioning circuit for an autonomous low power System in Package based on a micro piezoelectric generator as the main power source. The electrical model of the selected source is implemented in the Spectre-Analog Artist environment of Cadence, based on experimental measurements. This model is used to simulate the power source with the power conditioning electronics in the design process. In order to increase the current capability of the power source, several PZT sources are placed in parallel. The power circuits are also presented, which are defined by a rectifier and a linear regulator which is based on a low-dropout regulator (LDO), and a low power bandgap reference to define the threshold voltage for the close-loop regulation. These circuits have been designed in a commercial 0.13 μm technology from ST Microelectronics through the CMP-TIMA service.