Solar Energy Harvesting for Wireless Sensor Network (WSN)

• Main Author: A/P SENIVASAN, SUGANTI
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: IRC 2016
• Subjects: TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/17093/1/final%20dissertation.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/17093/
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Petronas

Wireless Sensor Networks are successfully used in the current times to many applications and systems. Generally, this WSN are powered by batteries which constrains the extensive use of WSN due to its finite resource structure. Therefore, the idea of energy harvesting technique is considered to ensure a longer lifespan of operation time for the WSN. Solar energy harvesting is being the most effective method for WSN placed outdoor under presence of sunlight due to its highest power density. In this project, solar harvesting using low-powered Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) is designed to ensure better efficiency from solar panel. MPPT used is based on integrated circuit (LTC3105). Besides, usage of rechargeable batteries is included to ensure constant power to WSN at all times. This is because; power through solar harvesting is limited to only the day time under the presence of sun. DC-DC converter is used to ensure sufficient power to the WSN from the battery. WSN used in this project is IRIS mote. This is a prototype based project, thus the design of component used for power management is expected to demonstrate effectiveness and efficiency of solar harvesting to extend the battery life. The result of charging the battery through solar panel and discharging of battery to WSN will be studied and plotted in graph for discussion