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Movers and Shakers: Kinetic Energy Harvesting for the Internet of Things (1307.0044v3)

Published 28 Jun 2013 in cs.ET, cs.NI, and cs.PF

Abstract: Numerous energy harvesting wireless devices that will serve as building blocks for the Internet of Things (IoT) are currently under development. However, there is still only limited understanding of the properties of various energy sources and their impact on energy harvesting adaptive algorithms. Hence, we focus on characterizing the kinetic (motion) energy that can be harvested by a wireless node with an IoT form factor and on developing energy allocation algorithms for such nodes. In this paper, we describe methods for estimating harvested energy from acceleration traces. To characterize the energy availability associated with specific human activities (e.g., relaxing, walking, cycling), we analyze a motion dataset with over 40 participants. Based on acceleration measurements that we collected for over 200 hours, we study energy generation processes associated with day-long human routines. We also briefly summarize our experiments with moving objects. We develop energy allocation algorithms that take into account practical IoT node design considerations, and evaluate the algorithms using the collected measurements. Our observations provide insights into the design of motion energy harvesters, IoT nodes, and energy harvesting adaptive algorithms.

Citations (243)

Summary

  • The paper analyzes kinetic energy potentials using over 200 hours of human motion data to quantify power variability across different activities.
  • It outlines design principles for IoT nodes, including optimal harvester resonance and both capacitor and battery-based energy storage.
  • The study demonstrates that dynamic programming-based algorithms adapt efficiently to fluctuating energy inputs in real-world scenarios.

Overview of Kinetic Energy Harvesting for IoT Nodes

This paper tackles the critical challenge of energy provisioning for the Internet of Things (IoT) nodes via kinetic energy harvesting. Given the rise of IoT applications, it is essential to develop self-sustaining devices that effectively utilize ambient energy sources, notably kinetic energy derived from human and object motion. The research offers a detailed investigation into both the characterization of kinetic energy availability and the formulation of energy allocation algorithms aimed at optimizing the power usage of ultra-low-power IoT nodes.

Characterizing Kinetic Energy Harvesting

The research begins by analyzing the kinetic energy that can be harvested through motion. The authors assembled an extensive dataset, involving over 40 participants and recording more than 200 hours of acceleration data. The paper examines common human activities such as walking, running, and cycling to assess the energy that could be harvested from such motions. Notably, the results indicate substantial variability in harvested power due to differences in human physical parameters; taller participants typically generate approximately 20% more power than shorter ones when engaged in walking activities. The characterization extends beyond human motion, also addressing energy availability from the motion of everyday objects, although the energy harvested from typical non-periodic object motion is found to be generally low.

Design and Evaluation of Harvesters and Algorithms

Key to the research is identifying suitable inertial energy harvester designs. The authors emphasize design considerations such as matching the harvester's resonant frequency to the dominant frequency of motion to maximize power output. A realistic model of IoT nodes powered by such harvesters is proposed, considering both capacitor and battery energy storage options. The research develops energy allocation algorithms that are evaluated with the collected trace data. The authors demonstrate the efficacy of a pseudopolynomial dynamic programming algorithm as well as an approximation scheme for optimal energy allocation under various constraints and node designs.

Insights and Implications

The paper presents several insights into the dynamic nature of kinetic energy harvesting. Human activity-based energy variability emphasizes the need for adaptive algorithms capable of managing harvested energy under fluctuating conditions. The work highlights the potential for IoT node designs to be optimized based on expected human motion frequencies and statistics, thus enabling more efficient harvesting. By demonstrating that real-world kinetic energy traces differ significantly from idealized i.i.d. or Markov processes often used in theoretical models, the research underscores the inadequacy of simplifying assumptions in the practical design of energy-adaptive protocols.

Future Perspectives

The implications of this research are multifaceted. Practically, it offers a framework for designing IoT devices that can be self-sustaining by leveraging ambient kinetic energy. Theoretically, it prompts further exploration into the development of more accurate models and algorithms that account for the complex dynamics of real-world kinetic energy sources. Future work may extend these findings to incorporate multi-modal energy harvesting setups that combine kinetic with other ambient energy sources, such as solar, to augment the sustainability of IoT nodes in diverse environments.

This paper provides a vital contribution toward understanding and harnessing kinetic energy for IoT applications, paving the way for designing autonomous, robust, and highly functional IoT networks.