A PZT-based energy sensor able to store energy and transmit data

In this paper a piezoelectric sensor able to measure vibrational energy, to store energy and to transmit data has been presented. The possibility to take advantage of external and not deterministic vibrations is of great interest in the modern research. Vibration energy can be exploited to supply sensors, to transmit data or to measure kinetic energy. The device presented in this paper is able to perform all the three aspects above mentioned. The sensor is composed by a piezoelectric device and a conditioning circuit which relates external vibrations to an optical output. The system has been analytically modeled, simulated and an experimental campaign has been performed confirming the proposed method.