Design Considerations for Next Generation Wireless Power-Aware Microsensor Nodes

In order to break the 100 W average power barrier of a wireless microsensor node, aggressive design methodologies need to be developed. Dynamic voltage scaling should be more aggressive, reaching subthreshold operation, and knobs should be available for adapting hardware bit-precision and latency. Since the nodes operate in a sleep state most of the time, standby leakage currents must be reduced and the power supply voltage regulated to a near-optimum value. This paper presents insight and simulation/experimental results addressing some of the challenges of designing next generation wireless microsensor nodes.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: VLSID
• Authors: David D. Wentzloff, Benton H. Calhoun, Rex Min, Alice Wang, Nathan Ickes, Anantha Chandrakasan
• Keywords: Computer Architecture, Power Supply Voltage, Standby Leakage Currents, VLSID 2004, Wireless Microsensor Nodes