IoT Sensor Node Power Solution

Application

Description

Ultra-low power solution for battery-operated IoT sensors using Silicontent high-efficiency converters

Core Advantages

Ultra-Low Power Total quiescent current less than 20μA in standby mode enables 5+ year battery life
High Efficiency Maintains efficiency above 85% even at light loads of 10μA thanks to automatic power-save mode
Compact Size Small solution size using chip inductors and compact packages for space-constrained sensor nodes
Low Cost Optimized BOM for high-volume IoT applications with minimal external components
Reliable Support Comprehensive technical support from BeiLuo Electronics FAE team throughout your design cycle

Recommended Bill of Materials (BOM)

Item Part Number Description Quantity Datasheet
1 XZ3102 Ultra-high frequency buck converter for main rail 1 📄 Download
2 XZ1002 Ultra-low Iq LDO for always-on circuits 1 📄 Download
3 XZ5002 Compact battery charger for rechargeable options 1 📄 Download

Applications

IoT Sensors
Smart Home
Industrial Monitoring

Technical Specifications

Input Voltage
2.0V - 3.6V (Li-ion coin cell)
Output Voltage
1.8V / 3.3V
Output Current
100mA peak, 10μA standby
Quiescent Current
< 1μA (shutdown mode)
Operating Current
20μA (no load)
Battery Life
> 5 years (CR2032)

Customer Success Stories

SmartHome Sensors Inc.

Smart Home |

Challenge

Needed 5+ year battery life for wireless temperature/humidity sensors deployed in residential homes with minimal maintenance requirements

Solution

Implemented XZ3102 buck converter with automatic power-save mode and XZ1002 LDO for always-on circuits, with aggressive power management using enable pins

Results

Achieved 6+ year battery life with CR2032 coin cell, exceeding product requirements. Sensors transmit every 10 minutes with average current consumption of only 15μA.

IndustrialMonitor Systems

Industrial IoT |

Challenge

Required reliable power solution for harsh environment industrial sensors operating in temperatures from -40°C to +85°C with long battery life

Solution

Adapted IoT power solution with industrial-grade components and wider temperature range, using XZ3102 and XZ1002 with enhanced thermal management

Results

Passed industrial temperature testing (-40°C to +85°C), deployed in 10,000+ sensors with 99.9% reliability over 2 years of operation

FAE Expert Insights

S

Sarah Liu

Senior FAE - IoT Applications

10 years

Professional Insights

Key considerations: Sleep current dominates battery life in IoT applications; Use automatic power-save mode for high efficiency at light loads; Select LDOs with <1μA quiescent current for always-on rails; Minimize leakage current in all components and pull-up resistors; Calculate battery life using actual duty cycle and sleep current. Common pitfalls to avoid: Ignoring quiescent current in battery life calculations; Using standard LDOs with high Iq for always-on circuits; High-value pull-up resistors causing excessive current draw; Leakage in capacitors reducing battery life; Not accounting for temperature effects on battery capacity.

Key Takeaways

  • Sleep current dominates battery life in IoT applications
  • Use automatic power-save mode for high efficiency at light loads
  • Select LDOs with <1μA quiescent current for always-on rails
  • Minimize leakage current in all components and pull-up resistors
  • Calculate battery life using actual duty cycle and sleep current

Decision Framework

Decision Framework
Steps:
  1. Evaluate requirements
  2. Compare solutions
  3. Consult FAE

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the quiescent current of this power solution?

The complete power solution has quiescent current of approximately 20μA in operating mode and <1μA in shutdown mode. This ultra-low current enables multi-year battery life from coin cell batteries. The XZ3102 contributes about 15μA and the XZ1002 adds only 1μA, with the remainder from pull-up resistors and other components.

Calculate total battery life including both active and sleep currents; IoT devices typically spend >99% time in sleep mode.

How long will the battery last?

With a CR2032 coin cell (220mAh), typical IoT sensor applications achieve 5-7 years battery life depending on duty cycle. A sensor transmitting every 10 minutes with 100mA peak current for 10ms will have average current around 20μA, giving >5 years life. The key is minimizing sleep current, as the device spends >99% of time in sleep mode.

Calculate based on your specific duty cycle; minimize active time and sleep current for maximum battery life. Use online battery life calculators for accurate estimates.

What is the efficiency at very light loads?

The XZ3102 maintains efficiency above 85% at loads as low as 10μA thanks to its automatic power-save mode. This is critical for IoT applications where the device spends most time in sleep mode with minimal load. Traditional converters often have poor efficiency at light loads, but the PFM mode in XZ3102 maintains high efficiency across the entire load range.

Verify light-load efficiency for your specific application; power-save mode automatically optimizes for light loads. This is a key advantage for battery-powered IoT devices.

Can this solution work with rechargeable batteries?

Yes, the solution can work with rechargeable Li-ion coin cells or small Li-poly batteries. Add the XZ5002 battery charger for rechargeable battery applications. The charger supports standard Li-ion charging profiles with safety features including thermal regulation and automatic recharge. Battery life will be shorter with rechargeable batteries due to lower capacity, but the system remains operational.

Add XZ5002 charger for rechargeable applications; verify charging current is appropriate for battery size. Consider solar or energy harvesting for extended operation.

What is the startup time from shutdown?

Startup time from shutdown mode is typically 100-200μs depending on output capacitance. This fast startup enables quick wake-from-sleep for intermittent IoT sensor operation. The XZ3102 has fast soft-start to minimize inrush current while enabling quick startup. This allows aggressive power saving by shutting down between transmissions.

Fast startup enables aggressive power saving; verify startup time meets your application wake-up requirements. Most IoT sensors can tolerate 100-200μs startup delay.