Intelligent photoelectric sensor module utilizing light for communication and energy harvesting

Ubiquitous sensing is required as an inherent part of the internet of things. Here, optical systems have great advantages over electrically operated sensor nodes. Wireless communication by means of light presents an alternative to traditional radio wave channels. We present a concept of an intelligent photoelectric sensor module equipped with a light interface for data transmission and an energy harvesting unit in a form of a solar cell, which provides electrical power by converting the ambient light. A miniaturization of autonomous sensor nodes in combination with an optical signal and energy transmission allows for much greater freedom in the integration of sensor systems. Multijunction solar cells as energy harvester for ultra-compact devices where first used and tested for a small transponder (13x13x4 mm) embedded in a metallic bolt with RFID principle of communication. The accomplished research brought up the issue of relation between the solar cell dimensions and the data transmission rate (cycles per second). It provides a basis for the investigation of power supply systems for an intelligent photoelectric surface of light emitting modules based on solar energy conversion.