METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ENERGY HARVESTING USING A COLD-START VOLTAGE CONVERTER

A method for energy harvesting is provided that uses an auxiliary energy storage device as a voltage source for the controller of a main voltage converter system. The auxiliary energy storage device is initially charged with a cold-start voltage converter and thereafter a main voltage converter system is charging a first rechargeable energy storage device until an upper charging threshold level is reached. The voltage of the auxiliary energy storage device is monitored and kept equal to a target value suitable for operating the controller, or alternatively within a predefined voltage range corresponding to the supply voltage range for the controller. A power management integrated circuit for energy harvesting is provided that includes a cold-start and a main voltage converter system, an internal voltage node is kept at a target value or within a voltage range suitable as a supply voltage for the controller.