A Practical Theory of Micro-Solar Power Sensor Networks
Abstract
Autonomous long-term monitoring is an essential capability of wireless sensor networks and solar energy is a viable means of enabling this capability due to its high power density and wide availability. However, micro-solar power system design is challenging because it must address long-term system behavior under highly variable solar energy and consider a large space of design options. Several micro-solar power systems have been designed and implemented, validating particular points in the whole design space. In this dissertation we develop a practical theory of micro-solar power systems that is materialized in a simulation suite that models component and system behavior over a long time-scale and in an external environment that depends on time, location weather and local conditions. This simulation provides sufficient accuracy to guide specific design choices in a large design space. This design tool is very different from the many "macro-solar" calculators, which model typical behavior of kilowatt systems in the best conditions, rather than detailed behavior of milliwatt systems in the worst conditions. We provide a general architecture of micro-solar power systems, comprising key components and interconnections among the components and formalize each component in an analytical or empirical model of its behavior. We incorporate these component models and their interconnections in the simulation suite. Our discrete time-event simulation models the daily behavior and the long-term behavior by iteratively evaluating the state of the system in the context of its solar environment and internal loads.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA538853
Entities
People
- Jaein Jeong
Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley