An ultra low power IC for an autonomous mm3-sized microrobot

• Published in: 2007 IEEE Asian Solid-State Circuits Conference pp. 55 - 58
• Main Authors: Casanova, R., Dieguez, A., Sanuy, A., Arbat, A., Alonso, O., Canals, J., Samitier, J.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01-11-2007
• Subjects: Actuators; Batteries; Data processing; Energy consumption; Energy management; Photovoltaic cells; Power integrated circuits; Robotic assembly; Robots; Supercapacitors
• ISBN: 1424413591; 9781424413591
• DOI: 10.1109/ASSCC.2007.4425681

This paper is focused on the main issues of designing a SoC for a completely autonomous mm 3 -sized microrobot. It is described how all the electronics are included in a unique chip, the special requirements in the assembly process and how the hard constraints in power consumption are managed. Power in the robot is delivered by solar cells mounted on top and two supercapacitors which act as batteries. The maximum available energy for the SoC is 400 muW for driving the robot actuators and 1 mW for data processing. The special architecture of the SoC and power awareness are required to manage the very low available power.