Jean-Marie Dilhac

New lateral DMOS and IGBT structures realized on a partial SOI substrate based on LEGO process

In this paper, we present new lateral DMOS and IGBT structures based on a partial SOI substrate. The partial SOI substrate, formed through LEGO recrystallization process improves considerably the breakdown capability and the thermal behavior of these devices compared to full SOI devices. Experimental results of high voltage power devices implemented on such a process are presented for the first time.

Energy Harvesting for Powering Wireless Sensor Networks On-Board Geostationary Broadcasting Satellites

This paper addresses the topics of energy harvesting for powering autonomous wireless sensors on board of geostationary broadcasting satellites. The feasibility of energy harvesting by using thermoelectric modules or rectennas is firstly discussed then the design and the implementation of a rectenna is presented. Experimental results in Ka band demonstrate the feasibility of the use of such rectenna in satellite applications.

Single Piezoelectric Transducer as Strain Sensor and Energy Harvester Using Time-Multiplexing Operation

This paper presents the implementation of a single piece of macro fiber composite (MFC) piezoelectric transducer as a multifunctional device for both strain sensing and energy harvesting for the first time in the context of an energy harvesting powered wireless sensing system. The multifunction device is achieved via time-multiplexing operation for alternating dynamic strain sensing and energy harvesting functions at different time slots associated with different energy levels, that is, when there is insufficient energy harvested in the energy storage for powering the system, the MFC is used as an energy harvester for charging up the storage capacitor; otherwise, the harvested energy is used for powering the system and the MFC is used as a strain sensor for measuring dynamic structural strain. A circuit is designed and implemented to manage the single piece of MFC as the multifunctional device in a time-multiplexing manner, and the operation is validated by the experimental results. The dynamic strains measured by the MFC in the implemented system match a commercial strain sensor of extensometer by 95.5 to 99.99%, and thus the studied method can be used for autonomous structural health monitoring of dynamic strain.

Powering a Commercial Datalogger by Energy Harvesting from Generated Aeroacoustic Noise

This paper reports the experimental demonstration of a wireless sensor node only powered by an aeroacoustic energy harvesting device, meant to be installed on an aircraft outside skin. New results related to the physical characterization of the energy conversion process are presented. Optimized interface electronics has been designed, which allows demonstrating aeroacoustic power generation by supplying a commercial wireless datalogger in conditions representative of an actual flight.

Towards Energy Autonomy of Wireless Sensors in Aeronautics Applications: SMARTER Collaborative Project

In recent years, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) have been considered for various aeronautical applications to perform sensing, data processing and wireless transmission of information, without the need of adding extra wiring. However, each node of these networks needs to be self-powered. Considering the critical drawbacks associated with the use of electrochemical energy sources, environmental energy capture allows an alternative solution for long term, deploy and forget, WSN. In this paper we present hands-on experience related to on-going energy harvesting implementations in aircrafts. In a first part, we will explain the reasons justifying the choice of ambient energy capture to power WSN in an aircraft. Then we will develop some classical hardware architectures. Finally, in the last section, we will present the SMARTER collaborative project as an illustration.

A multifunctional device as both strain sensor and energy harvester for structural health monitoring

In the context of wireless sensors (WSs) autonomous in energy, this paper presents a single macro-fiber composite (MFC) piezoelectric transducer which is used for the first time as a multifunctional device as both sensor and energy harvester in a time-multiplexing manner. The MFC is used as an energy harvester to charge up a storage capacitor. When there is sufficient energy, the WS is powered up and the MFC is used as a sensor. A circuit was implemented to harvest energy from the MFC and use the MFC as a sensor. Experiment validation shows that the MFC has an accuracy of up to 97 % as sensor and the circuit harvests energy from the MFC at its maximum power point (MPP) with up to 98 % efficiency.

Self-Powered energy harvester strain sensing device for structural health monitoring

This paper presents an envisaged autonomous strain sensor device, which is dedicated to structural health monitoring applications. The paper introduces the ASIC approach that replaces the discrete approach of some of the main modules.

Coupling Supercapacitors and Aeroacoustic Energy Harvesting for Autonomous Wireless Sensing in Aeronautics Applications

Abstract This paper reports for the first time the experimental demonstration of a wireless sensor node only powered by an aeroacoustic energy-harvesting device, meant to be installed on an aircraft outside skin. Aeroacoustic noise is generated on purpose to serve as a means of converting mechanical energy from high velocity airflow into electrical energy. Results related to the physical characterization of the energy conversion process are presented. The proposed aeroacoustic transducer prototype, consisting in a rectangular cavity fitted with a piezoelectric membrane, is shown to deliver up to 2 mW AC power under Mach 0.5 airflow. Optimized power management electronics has been designed to interface with the transducer, including a self-powered Synchronized Switch Harvesting on Inductor (SSHI) interface circuit and an efficient buck-boost DC/DC converter. The design of micropower auxiliary circuits adds functionality while preserving high efficiency. This circuit stores energy in supercapacitors and is able to deliver a net output DC power close to 1 mW. A fully autonomous system has been implemented and tested, successfully demonstrating aeroacoustic power generation by supplying a battery-free wireless datalogger in conditions representative of an actual flight.

Lab work for the power-oriented design of a wireless sensor network

This paper describes a teaching experiment where students have to design a telecom system based on a wireless sensor network which specifications are power-oriented. Priority is given to an experimental hands-on approach.

Large area recrystallization of thick polysilicon films for low cost partial SOI power devices

This paper focuses on the process fabrication of a partial silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate for mixed power integration (low and high voltage devices on the same chip) at low cost. More specifically, such application would require a silicon substrate having localized thick SOI patterns associated with lateral isolation for control modules and bulk areas for power devices. The Lateral Epitaxial Growth over Oxide process (LEGO) based on fusion and recrystallization of polysilicon patterns, is a solution to obtain such a substrate at low cost and with a good SOI layer crystalline quality. A brief description of LEGO together with experimental results of LEGO process optimisation are presented.