Pre-Built Modules Speed Up Time-to-Market
To help with this critical decision-making, RECOM has developed a pre-built, pre-tested energy harvesting module and an evaluation board based on the AEM10941 harvester IC.
Getting Started with the RECOM Energy Harvesting Module
Oct 15, 2021
One of the main challenges in designing a successful energy harvesting system is simply getting started. At the beginning, there are often too many unknowns to contend with, and it can be overwhelming. Which energy source to use – photovoltaic, thermoelectric generator, electric field, flow-based, or vibrational? How big should my storage element be? Should I use a supercapacitor or a rechargeable battery? What about energy security—do I need a backup battery, or will I scavenge enough energy during the day to keep running through the night? And these are just the external aspects—what about optimization, choice, and supply chain management of the electronic components in the harvester itself, such as inductors, resistors, and capacitors, needed on my PCB to make a fully functioning energy harvesting power supply?
Table of contents
The REH-3.31.8 module is a complete energy harvesting power supply, requiring just an energy source and a storage element. This frees up the design engineer’s valuable time to focus on more important decisions, such as finding the optimal solar cell for the light conditions available, fine-tuning the resonant frequency of the vibrational generator, or experimenting with the size of the supercapacitor or Li-Ion battery needed to supply the load reliably 24/7.
To make this process even easier, RECOM also manufactures the REH-3.31.8-EVM-1 evaluation board with push-in wire connections for the energy source, storage element, and the 3.3V and 1.8V output voltages. The evaluation board also contains pads for a CR2032 battery holder if an onboard backup primary cell battery is needed. With the REH-3.31.8-EVM-1, it is possible to configure all of the features of the REH-3.31.8 module, such as selecting the type of storage element (rechargeable battery or supercapacitor), setting the backup battery switch-over threshold voltage, and independently enabling either or both outputs. All input and output signals of the module are easily accessible for test probes.
To make this process even easier, RECOM also manufactures the REH-3.31.8-EVM-1 evaluation board with push-in wire connections for the energy source, storage element, and the 3.3V and 1.8V output voltages. The evaluation board also contains pads for a CR2032 battery holder if an onboard backup primary cell battery is needed. With the REH-3.31.8-EVM-1, it is possible to configure all of the features of the REH-3.31.8 module, such as selecting the type of storage element (rechargeable battery or supercapacitor), setting the backup battery switch-over threshold voltage, and independently enabling either or both outputs. All input and output signals of the module are easily accessible for test probes.
5 Benefits of Using the RECOM Module
Ready-to-Go
The REH-3.31.8 is a pre-tested 12.2mm x 12.2mm x 3.75mm SMD module with solder pads on the bottom and a metal case. No external components are needed apart from the source and storage element to make a fully functional energy harvesting system.
Simple Assembly
The large grid array (LGA) pads allow easy, reliable soldering onto a low-cost main PCB, which can be single- or double-sided. The metal case simplifies handling and use with pick-and-place machines, and there is only one part in your BoM.
Fast Time-to-Market
Get your energy harvesting design up and running from Day 1. From prototyping to mass-production runs, our European distribution hub and express delivery enable rapid scaling of production.
Easy Experimentation
The REH-3.31.8-EVM-1 evaluation board allows experimentation with different energy sources or storage element manufacturers to select optimal components fine-tuned for the individual needs of your application.
Simple Upgrade
If you later decide to increase the amount of harvested energy, the push-in connectors permit swapping to a more effective energy harvester or larger storage element in seconds. Once everything is functioning correctly, production can continue using the new configuration, with confidence that the operating specifications will not change.
Technical Specifications of the REH-3.31.8 and REH-3.31.8-EVM-1
The REH-3.31.8 is a dual-output energy harvester module designed primarily for photovoltaic (PV) cells but capable of running from other low-voltage DC supplies delivering 50mV or more. This unique and compact (12.19 x 12.19 mm) module contains all the circuitry required to run an energy harvesting system, including a Maximum Power Point (MPP) tracking function for the PV cell.
The user needs only to add the storage element (user-selectable rechargeable battery or supercapacitor) and connect the power source to make it operational. Two short-circuit-protected, fixed-voltage regulated outputs (1.8V@20mA and 3.3V@80mA) can be individually enabled/disabled. An imminent shutdown signal warns the application that insufficient energy is being harvested to maintain the output voltage and that the module is about to power down.
The REH-3.31.8-EVM-1 allows a quick and easy evaluation of the REH-3.31.8 energy harvesting module. It contains all necessary plug-in connectors to connect the energy source, energy storage element, twin output voltages, and an external backup battery. The PCB footprint includes pads for a space-saving CR2032 battery holder to serve as an onboard backup battery, if required.
If a primary cell backup battery (1.5V to 3V) is fitted, the REH-Module will automatically switch over to the backup supply if the energy harvesting input fails to maintain an uninterrupted output.
The user needs only to add the storage element (user-selectable rechargeable battery or supercapacitor) and connect the power source to make it operational. Two short-circuit-protected, fixed-voltage regulated outputs (1.8V@20mA and 3.3V@80mA) can be individually enabled/disabled. An imminent shutdown signal warns the application that insufficient energy is being harvested to maintain the output voltage and that the module is about to power down.
The REH-3.31.8-EVM-1 allows a quick and easy evaluation of the REH-3.31.8 energy harvesting module. It contains all necessary plug-in connectors to connect the energy source, energy storage element, twin output voltages, and an external backup battery. The PCB footprint includes pads for a space-saving CR2032 battery holder to serve as an onboard backup battery, if required.
If a primary cell backup battery (1.5V to 3V) is fitted, the REH-Module will automatically switch over to the backup supply if the energy harvesting input fails to maintain an uninterrupted output.
How to Purchase
Both the REH-3.31.8 module and the REH-3.31.8-EVM-1 evaluation board are available from RECOM headquarters in Austria or from one of our business development managers based in the UK, Germany, Italy, Russia, USA, or Japan.
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REH-3.31.8-EVM-1
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