An Efficient DC-DC Boost Converter for Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting

Abstract In this paper, an efficient digitally controlled DC-DC boost converter for thermoelectric energy harvesting is presented. The proposed converter is based on the discontinuous mode (DCM) of operation. The efficiency of the converter is improved by using an adaptive pulse generator circuit and an active diode circuit. The adaptive pulse generator circuit reduces the dead time of the converter, whereas, the active diode circuit reduces the reverse current flow through the inductor to improve the conversion efficiency and the ripple voltage. The circuit is designed and simulated using 0.18 μ m technology. Adaptive pulse generator circuit and active diode circuit provide an efficiency improvement of 15.31 % and 5.74 %, respectively, with respect to that of the existing boost converter circuit. Both circuits together provide 21 % of improvement in efficiency. An efficiency of 72.59% is obtained using the proposed circuit as compared to 51.54 % of the existing boost converter circuit.