Power Supply Solution for IoT Sensing
Fujikura DSSCs
(Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells)
Toward a world without need for battery replacement
The cost and labor entailed in battery replacement in sensor terminals is an important issue for IoT adoption
Streamlining and automation initiatives that utilize IoT sensing are being advanced in various situations all around us. While cheap, easy-to-install battery-powered sensor terminals are employed for proof of concept, when it comes to practical application, the cost and labor that accompany battery replacement become important issues in adoption.
Fujikura DSSCs solve these problems
Fujikura DSSCs make battery-less sensor terminals a reality. The time and effort associated with battery replacement is becoming more noticeable as IoT sensing expands, its applications become more diverse, and the number of sensors terminals increases. DSSCs, which are able to generate power in all environments, can be employed in a wide array of situations.
We hope they will help you to address the challenges you face.
Usage scenarios
As IoT terminals installation expands and their numbers increase, initial installation costs and post-adoption battery replacement costs are drastically reduced.
Infrastructure monitoring
Office environment
Distribution warehouses
Greenhouses
Production plants
Sensor batteries
Temperature
Humidity
Illuminance
Pressure
sensing
CO2
Acceleration
Magnetism
Air flow
Other Applications
Smart meters
Smart locks
BLE beacons
Fujikura DSSC Features
IoT sensor terminals are characterized by utilization in every kind of location imaginable.
For this reason, any power source that aims to replace batteries must be able to generate power in any kind of location.
DSSCs are optimal devices for supplying power to IoT sensor terminals because in addition to being able to generate power over a wide range of lighting and temperature conditions, their incorporation into sensor terminals makes installation easy.
Capable of generating electricity anywhere in the living environment
Feature 1:
High power generation over a wide range of lighting conditions
Capable of generating electricity anywhere: in sunlight, in shade, in bad weather, indoors, etc.
Feature 2:
High power generation over a wide range of temperatures
Capable of supplying electricity from -30°C to +60°C, an even wider range than normal batteries can deliver
Sensor terminals with built in DSSCs are easy to install
Feature 3:
Can be installed without regard to the position of the light source
Since power can be generated from scattered light, there is no need to make sure the cells are oriented toward the light source
Feature 4:
It is okay for part of the DSSC to be in shadow
These cells avoid the problems that most multiple series solar cells can experience due to shadows
Feature 5:
Durable enough to be used both indoors and outdoors
While durability is said to be an issue with DSSCs, our cells are durable enough for long-term power supply without needing to worry about installation location
Feature :
Capable of generating electricity anywhere in the living environment
High power generation over a wide range of lighting conditions
Capable of generating electricity anywhere: in sunlight, shade, poor weather conditions, indoors, etc.
High power generation over a wide range of temperatures
Capable of supplying electricity from -30°C to +60°C , an even wider range than normal batteries can deliver
Feature : Terminals with built in DSSCs are easy to install
No need to consider the position of the light source
Since power can be generated from scattered light, there is no need to make sure the cells are oriented toward the light source
It is okay for part of the DSSC to be in shadow
These cells avoid the problems that multiple series solar cells can experience due to shadows
This video shows an experiment that places part of the DSSC in shadow -> There was almost no drop in power output like that which was observed for multiple series solar cells in the same experiment. (The figure at right shows power fluctuation)
Durable enough to be used both indoors and outdoors
While durability is said to be an issue with DSSCs, our cells are durable enough for long-term power supply without considering installation location
| Test Cases | |
|---|---|
| Temperature cycle test | -40 to 90 ℃, 200 cycles |
| Temperature and humidity cycle test | -40 to 85 ℃, 85%RH, 10 cycles |
| High-temperature high-humidity test | 85 ℃, 85%RH, 1000 hrs |
| Light irradiation test | AM 1.5G 1000W/㎡, 40℃, 500 hrs |
| Model test | Terminal strength test, vibration/shock/drop test, overcurrent application test |
Product Specifications
Product name:
FDSC-FSC7FGC
External dimensions: 70.0 x 92.0 mm
Thickness dimension: 2.5 mm
| Unit | Average | Specified value | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Operation Power Point (Pm) | μW | 340 | >= 243 | at White LED 200 lx, Ambient temperature: 23℃ |
| Operating Current (Iop) at 0.38 V | μA | 796 | >= 569 | |
| Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) | V | 0.58 | 0.45 – 0.65 |
Product name:
FDSC-FSC4FGC
External dimensions: 56.0 x 112.0 mm
Thickness dimension: 2.5 mm
| Unit | Average | Specified value | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Operation Power Point (Pm) | μW | 300 | >= 214 | at White LED 200 lx, Ambient temperature: 23℃ |
| Operating Current (Iop) at 0.38 V | μA | 776 | >= 554 | |
| Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) | V | 0.50 | 0.45 – 0.65 |
Product name:
FDSC-FSC5FGC
External dimensions: 44.0 x 85.0 mm
Thickness dimension: 2.5 mm
| Unit | Average | Specified value | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Operation Power Point (Pm) | μW | 165 | >= 117 | at White LED 200 lx, Ambient temperature: 23℃ |
| Operating Current (Iop) at 0.38 V | μA | 425 | >= 304 | |
| Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) | V | 0.50 | 0.45 – 0.65 |
Product name:
FDSC-FSC12FGC
External dimensions: 23.9 x 62.3 mm
Thickness dimension: 2.5 mm
| Unit | Average | Specified value | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Operation Power Point (Pm) | μW | 45 | >= 32 | at White LED 200 lx, Ambient temperature: 23℃ |
| Operating Current (Iop) at 0.38 V | μA | 117 | >= 83 | |
| Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) | V | 0.50 | 0.45 – 0.65 |
Product name:
FDSC-FSC10FGC
External dimensions: 39.9 x 35.0 mm
Thickness dimension: 2.5 mm
| Unit | Average | Specified value | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Operation Power Point (Pm) | μW | 42 | >= 30 | at White LED 200 lx, Ambient temperature: 23℃ |
| Operating Current (Iop) at 0.38 V | μA | 108 | >= 77 | |
| Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) | V | 0.50 | 0.45 – 0.65 |
Design support for switching to DSSC power supply
Combining a DSSC with a power supply IC or a power storage device makes it possible to eliminate the battery from a battery-powered IoT sensing terminal.
Using a recommended power supply IC suitable for the Fujikura DSSC enables stable electrical power to be supplied. See the table below for the amount of electrical energy that can be supplied.
Recommended power supply IC
Boost Converter
| Manufacturer | Device No. |
|---|---|
| Analog Devices | ADP5090 ADP5091 LTC3105 |
| Texas Instruments | bq25504 bq25505 |
| e-peas | AEM10941 |
Step-up/Down Converter
| Manufacturer | Device No. |
|---|---|
| Analog Devices | LTC3106 |
| Texas Instruments | bq25570 |
Estimated electrical energy supplied
(Model number: FDSC-FSC4FGC)
| Dim indoor areas 200 lx ×12 hr/day |
Bright indoor areas 1,000 lx ×12 hr/day |
Dark shadows (outdoor) 5,000 lx ×12 hr/day |
Light shadows (outdoor) 10,000lx ×12 hr/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 mWh/day | 13.7 mWh/day | 63.3 mWh/day | 107.1 mWh/day |
Energy Balance Calculation (Rev.1)
Environments and working conditions of your IoT device may change which DSSC to be used.
Please use this simulation for easy and quick power design.
Please download the user’s manual in this site for details about how to use.
Energy Balance Calculation Parameters
| IoT device parameters | Environmental parameters |
|---|---|
| Working voltage [V] Standby current [μA] Working current [mA] Working time [msec] Working cycle [min] |
Illuminance [lx] Lighting time [hr/day] |