A Self-Powered Wireless Sensor for 
Indoor Environmental Monitoring

 E. S. Leland, E. M. Lai and P.K Wright

Symposium October 20 - 22, 2004 
The University of Texas at Austin,
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering 
Wireless Networking & Communications

Abstract:

Wireless sensor networks are an emerging technology with a number of potential applications. One such application is the monitoring of indoor environments to facilitate more efficient use of energy for climate control. Such an application necessitates an infinite-life power source that will work in low-light conditions. This paper details the design, fabrication, and testing of a self-powered wireless temperature sensor node. The sensor node, mounted on a wooden staircase, uses a piezoelectric bimorph to generate electricity from vibrations in the staircase. This generator powers a thermistor and wireless radio to transmit temperature readings to a remote computer. Vibrations generated by continuous traffic on the staircase produced 30μW from the piezoelectric generator, sufficient to power the sensor and radio hardware.