| 摘要 |
Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for providing a low-power AC/DC converter designed to operate with very low input voltage amplitudes. Specific embodiments can operate with input voltages less than or equal to 1 V, less than or equal to 200 mV, and as low as 20 mV, respectively. Embodiments of the subject low-power AC/DC converter can be utilized in magnetic induction energy harvester systems. With reference to a specific embodiment, a maximum efficiency of 92% was achieved for a 1 V input, and efficiencies exceeding 70% were achieved for a 200 mV input. A specific embodiment functioned properly when connected to a magnetic energy harvester device operating below 200 mV input. |
| 主权项 |
1. An AC/DC converter, comprising:
a first active diode, wherein the first active diode comprises a first comparator and a first switch; a second active diode, wherein the second active diode comprises a second comparator and a second switch; a first energy storage element; and a second energy storage element; wherein the converter is configured to connect to an input AC voltage source such that the first active diode is in series between the input AC voltage source and the first energy storage element and the second active diode is in series between the input AC voltage and the second energy storage element, such that when the voltage of the input AC voltage source is below a voltage of the first energy storage element, the first active diode turns on and current flows from the first energy storage element to the input AC voltage source, and when the voltage of the input AC voltage source is higher than the voltage of the second energy storage element, current flows from the input AC voltage source to the second energy storage element, wherein the first comparator comprises a first positive input port, a first negative input port, at least one first bias port, and a first output port; wherein the first switch comprises a first transistor; wherein the second comparator comprises a second positive input port, a second negative input port, at least one second bias port, and a second output port; wherein the second switch comprises a second transistor; wherein the first switch is selected from the group consisting of: an electromechanical switch, a bipolar junction transistor, an analog switch, a junction gate field-effect transistor, and a MOS transistor. |
