PIC Module Runs Off RF Power

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Powercast/Microchip platform with antenna

3W Powercast power transmitter module

Powercast development board and antennas

Powercast P2110 board with Microchip module

Microchip XLP 16-bit development board

Powercast Energy Harvesting Development Kit

Microchip and Powercast have joined together to deliver a unique wireless solution that provides power and communication over the air. I had a chance to check out the Lifetime Power Energy Harvesting Development Kit for Wireless Sensors (Fig. 6) that is just one of the Powercast development kits available. One of the demo boards (Fig. 1) can be powered remotely by a simple 915 MHz, 3W power transmitter box (Fig. 2). A single transmitter can power any number of remote units. It has dual DC power inputs. Different size antennas (Fig. 3) can be used to capture different amounts of power. One is directional. The other is omnidirectional. It is also possible to charge rechargeable batteries, use super-capacitors or thin-film energy cells to provide more power at peak times depending upon the application.

The kit includes a Powercast P2110 development board with Microchip module (Fig. 4). The Microchip sensor module includes an 8-bit PIC microcontroller and a 2.4 GHz wireless 802.15.4 adapter. The module can detect temperature, humidity and light. The Powercast board provides power to the module. Of course, it gets that power from the transmitter box. A PICkit 3 is included for programming and debugging the modules. The Microchip module can be easily replaced with a custom module.

The P2110 module has a P2110 chip that can provide up to 50ma of current. A boost converter delivers a constant voltage level up to 5.25V. The default output is 3.3V. A power status signal is provided and a host microcontroller can turn off power using another pin. An external power cap is optional.

The kit also includes a Microchip XLP 16-bit development board (Fig. 5) An 802.15.4 PICtail adapter plugs into this board providing a three node system. This board is designed to be the gateway and is not powered by the Powercast system. Instead, it uses a conventional power brick.