On chip post-processed microbattery powered with RF and thermal energy through a power management circuit

The proposed microsystem architecture comprises two power sources, and a microbattery used as a storage unit ; a complete integrated circuit transforms and manages the harvested energy and interfaces the microbattery. The first source is a RF power receiver combined with a classical RF converter. The second micropower source is a 1V miniature thermogenerator based on sintered bismuth telluride thermoelements, combined with a micropower DC/DC up converter. The converter architecture includes an innovative power switch control designed for better power efficiency, and improved supply noise performance. The microbattery is a lithium, solid-state, battery post-processed on the integrated circuit. A discharge monitor with 5nW power consumption, along with a 78% efficiency charge unit interfaces the battery. These harvesting and power storage devices are foreseen as a way to provide power on a chip, allowing either permanent active security for smart card applications or sensors supply for monitoring applications for example.