PowerChip – Power for Microsystems with Extended Missions

In this Phase II effort, TPL will develop, design and build a novel power source for microsystems with extended mission durations – the µPowerChip. Both single use and rechargeable systems will be developed containing either lithium primary or lithium secondary batteries, respectively. Rechargeable µPowerChips will be able to be combined with energy harvesting systems as a primary energy source for extended lifetime operation. These devices will have high capacity (several mAhr), high power capabilities (exceeding 100mW for 2s at 3V or higher), and a small footprint that fits a standard outline package. The proposed µPowerChips will combine TPL’s volumetric lithium ion or lithium microbatteries and microsupercapacitors with proprietary ultra-low power charge control circuitry. The combination of batteries with supercapacitors, delivers both steady state and high power transient pulses. Critical to this design is TPL’s innovative charge control circuitry. These unique circuit designs will enable control over charging the microsupercapacitor and the microbattery with minimal current drain on the primary energy source. The resulting power supply will be packaged into a standard small form factor configuration that can be readily mounted onto a PCB, and will be critical to realizing discrete minimum volume microsystems being developed by AFRL's Micro Munitions Technology team.