Communications of the ACM
Pioneering Chip Extends Sensors' Battery Life
Engineers at the University of Bristol in the U.K. have developed an inexpensive, ultra-low-power chip that can extend the battery life of sensors.
Credit: University of Bristol
Engineers at the University of Bristol in the U.K. have developed an inexpensive, ultra-low-power computer chip that can extend the battery life of sensors more than 10-fold in some cases.
The UB20M voltage detector needs only a few picowatts to activate other circuits, and in combination with an appropriate sensor it can eliminate the need for standby power by facilitating zero-power sensing and listening.
"The...voltage detector provides sensing that is continuous and free," says Bristol lead developer Bernard Stark. "This is because it is able to respond to minute quantities of power from unpowered sensors."
Stark notes the chip can stay operational and in monitoring mode without needing a battery or other power, thus reducing battery maintenance or making it unnecessary.
The chip consumes only five picojoules--more than 1,000 times less energy than current detectors--to generate a turn-on signal. The chip also can fit within many autonomous electronic devices.
From University of Bristol News
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