Battery-free wireless sensors are transforming how we monitor and automate the world around us. But designing them is far from trivial. At Kliskatek, we’ve learned that creating reliable, maintenance-free devices requires a deep understanding of energy constraints, communication protocols, and system-level optimization.
In this article, we’ll explore the key challenges in designing battery-free sensors—and how we solve them.
1. Ultra-Low Power Design
Without a battery, every microwatt counts. The entire system—sensor, microcontroller, and radio—must operate on minimal energy harvested from the environment.
Our approach:
- We use ultra-low-power components and custom firmware optimized for short, efficient operation cycles.
- Sensors remain in deep sleep until triggered by energy availability or an external event.
2. Energy Availability and Variability
Ambient energy is not constant. Whether it’s RF, light, vibration, or heat, the energy source may fluctuate or disappear entirely.
Our approach:
- We design for intermittent operation, ensuring the system can cold-boot quickly and resume tasks when energy returns.
- In hybrid systems, we prioritize sources dynamically based on availability.
3. Communication Timing and Protocols
Wireless communication is one of the most energy-intensive tasks. Timing is critical—especially when the sensor must synchronize with a reader that also powers it.
Our approach:
- We use sub-1 GHz RF for its long range and low power requirements.
- Communication is event-driven, minimizing idle listening and maximizing energy efficiency.
4. Smart Power Management
Every microjoule must be accounted for. From sensing to data transmission, energy must be allocated wisely.
Our approach:
- We implement energy-aware scheduling, where sensing and transmission are only triggered when enough energy is available.
- Data is compressed or encoded to reduce transmission time.
EVAL-SID-ACC-DKW 3-axis accelerometer sensor tag
5. System Integration and Miniaturization
Removing the battery opens new possibilities—but also new constraints in terms of size, antenna design, and energy storage.
Our approach:
- We co-design the mechanical and electronic architecture to optimize energy harvesting and RF performance.
- We use supercapacitors or micro-storage elements to buffer energy when needed.
Conclusion
Designing battery-free wireless sensors is a multidisciplinary challenge that blends electronics, RF engineering, embedded systems, and power management. At Kliskatek, we’ve built a platform that adapts to different energy sources and application needs—without compromising reliability.
In the next article, we’ll explore how hybrid energy harvesting can extend the capabilities of these systems even further.