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Energy Harvesting Combines with Agricultural Sensors to Make Smart Agriculture a RealityThe search for a solution that will reliably power a system of agricultural sensors
Solutions
At last, a high-output battery that is able to store the minute currents yielded by energy harvesting
Solution Offered by EnerCera battery
The low internal resistance of EnerCera batteries enable them to store the minuscule currents yielded through energy harvesting and power wireless communications.
Offering lower rates of self-discharge than capacitors, EnerCera batteries are able to store energy for extended periods of time, delivering a stable sensor system that will operate even in inclement conditions when sufficient power cannot be obtained from energy harvesting devices.
EnerCera’s wide operating temperature range enables it to work even in harsh climates.
EnerCera is also reflow solderable*, enabling the manufacture at low cost of systems comprising a large number of sensors.
*Reflow solder: a technique in which a device known as a reflow oven is used to solder multiple electronic components arranged on a printed circuit board in a single step.
EnerCera batteries have low internal resistance, enabling them to store the minuscule currents generated by energy harvesting
The engineer in charge of the Renesas smart agriculture sensing system first met a marketing representative for NGK’s EnerCera battery at a tradeshow in the US.
The engineer was informed that EnerCera batteries’ low internal resistance enables them to be charged using the miniscule currents elicited from energy harvesting and to power wireless communications. EnerCera batteries also have a lower rates of self-discharge than capacitors, enabling them to store energy for extended periods of time. The engineer felt that EnerCera would be a good match for the Renesas sensor system, as its properties could be harnessed to ensure the system’s stable operation, even when insufficient power was available from energy harvesting devices.
The perfect complement to smart agriculture, EnerCera batteries work like a charm even in harsh environments
Upon receiving some samples, the engineer immediately connected the EnerCera Coin to the Renesas RE MCU-based energy harvesting sensor system and began testing. As he had hoped, the system was able to efficiently store the slightest currents, as well as powering wireless communications device that requires large currents (see diagram below). The engineer said that the new system did not only require single-use batteries, but thanks to the wide operation temperature range of the EnerCera batteries, it was ideal for agricultural sensor applications which are exposed to large changes in ambient temperature.
In future, Renesas hopes to collaborate with NGK on not only smart agriculture applications but also many other systems that combine Renesas semiconductor products with EnerCera batteries.
Block diagram of the Renesas smart agriculture sensor system
Agricultural sensor device which can store power from energy harvesting sources, drive wireless data communication and can withstand harsh weather conditions. Digital transformation of agriculture by sensing and monitoring. Photovoltaic powered smart agricultural sensor device.
