Infinite Power Solutions has unveiled its Infinergy MPM (micro power module). MPMs are miniaturised plug and play power modules with integrated power management and solid-state energy storage that simplify the design and adoption of self-powered, micro-electronic systems using ambient energy. These products are designed for variable AC and DC charge energy from energy harvesting devices. The modules are suitable for a variety of off-grid applications, including autonomous wireless sensors, actuators, smart building and factory automation systems, RTC (real-time clock) and memory backup power systems, active RFID tags and RTLS (real-time locating systems). When combined with energy harvesting devices, such as photovoltaic cells, piezo-electric materials, or thermal-electric generators, the modules are continually recharged and can provide perpetual power. The modules feature three functional elements that include near loss-less energy storage, efficient power management electronics, and regulated output voltage in a miniaturised footprint.
For the energy storage element, the company leverages its Thinergy MEC (Micro-Energy Cell) products to provide better energy storage performance with high continuous discharge current, low self-discharge rate (less than 1% charge loss per year), and better cycle life (greater than 10,000 cycles at 100% depth of discharge). The company's PPMU (passive power management unit) serves as the power management element. The PPMU provides a simplified electronic interface between the ambient energy harvester and the Thinergy MEC. While charging the MEC, the PPMU circuit consumes less than 3nA, allowing greater charge efficiencies. The MPMs provide raw battery output and feature an integrated LDO (low drop out) voltage regulator tailored to the voltage requirements of micro-electronic applications, such as the micro-processor and radio integrated circuits used in wireless sensors. The Infinergy MPM101 is packaged in a 20pin SMT configuration that can be "pick and placed" and reflow soldered to a PCB for volume manufacturing. It is thin (less than 3mm) and compact with a footprint of 29x29mm. The D-MPM101 is a system development version that has the same functionality as the MPM101, but is packaged in a multi-connector configuration and comes with mating connectors and pig-tail wiring harnesses for rapid system prototyping. This module has a thickness of 4mm and a footprint of 25mmx 26mm. Both MPMs are available with options for discharge current, discharge capacity and output regulator voltage.
The MPMs require a two wire interface, and support both AC and DC inputs simultaneously. Their miniature size, and low leakage current make them suitable for off-grid, self-powered applications. The MPMs when combined with ambient energy harvesters, can provide perpetual power by accumulating energy from low power, intermittent energy from harvesting devices, managing that energy without active electronics, storing that energy in a near loss-less storage device, and providing high discharge currents with a regulated output voltage required by the target application.
