Recent start-up techniques intended for TEG energy harvesting: a review

The growing number of energy-autonomous applications raises the need for reliable DC energy harvesting techniques such as Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs). One key issue, however, is the minimum voltage (40–60 mV) required for start-up in small TEG energy harvesting sources. We review in this paper recent start-up solutions for TEG energy harvesting technologies. Different solutions have been categorized into 5 main approaches: external battery, extra-fabrication-process-based, transformers, multisource energy harvesting, and DC-AC-DC conversion using oscillators. The “DC-AC-DC conversion ring oscillators” approach is then shown to be the most promising solution in line with DC energy harvesting applications because it offers several advantages over other approaches, such as allowing full integration with good performance, compatibility with regular CMOS technology, and lower cost. Then, its different implementations are discussed and a detailed analysis is provided to identify their respective advantages and limitations.