As you’ve heard, incessantly, the deployment of sensors is expected to exceed the trillions in the very near future. And, like all electronic devices, these sensors are being made ever smaller so even more can be installed while taking minimal space. However, with mass deployment and miniaturization, comes another dilemma: how to power those sensors efficiently.
Energy harvesting is one approach for powering these miniature sensors, but, little has developed that could be considered groundbreaking. Much more needs to be done in this area. Of course, the most logical and basic approach is make the sensors as low-power as possible. But let’s face it, trillions of ultra-low power devices essentially equal one huge power-sucking serpent.
The problem is not without solutions. One can find some viable strategies for powering up piles of sensors at Sensors Midwest 2018 on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 from 11:10 am to 12:00 pm. Anthony Huynh, Principal Member of Technical Staff, Applications at Maxim Integrated Products, will deliver a presentation aptly titled, “Powering Miniature Sensors” in Theater 1.
With the ability to not only detect but also synthesize and process data, sensors have transformed electronic equipment with new intelligence. However, to make this possible, sensors have also become miniaturized. And their mass proliferation is stressing power supply architectures as well as causing thermal-dissipation issues.
How can users power these tiny sensors reliably without overheating? This session discusses miniature sensor examples including optical sensors and motor encoders in industrial, Wi-Fi sensors in consumer applications, and bedside monitors in medical environments with an emphasis on how to tackle power management and energy efficiency.
Anthony T. Huynh is a Principal Member of Technical Staff (MTS), Applications Engineering at Maxim Integrated. He has 20+ years designing/defining isolated/non-isolated switching power supplies and power management products. He has defined 100+ power management products including dc/dc converters, hot swap controllers, Power-over-Ethernet, and various system-protection ICs.
Anthony holds seven U.S. patents in power electronics and has written several public articles/application notes in this area. He has a BS in Electrical Engineering from Oregon State University and has completed all course work for an MS in Electrical Engineering at Portland State University where he also taught a power electronics class.
Alright, you’re cranking out miniature sensors like a sausage maker getting ready for the San Gennaro festival, and you want to power them up without setting fire to their surroundings. You can easily learn how in two quick steps:
- Register for Sensors Midwest 2018.
- Attend the “Powering Miniature Sensors” session, Tuesday, October 16, 2018 from 11:10 am to 12:00 pm.
And while you’re at it, checkout the conference schedule for related sessions and the exhibitor lineup for presentations of the latest sensors and sensor-related products plus a plethora of other technologies.