Comparative Research on the Way of Energy Harvesting of the Wireless Sensor Network Nodes

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is widely used to solve many environmental, security and process monitoring problems. But, to supply electrical power over extended periods of time without the need for dedicated wiring becomes restriction. Energy harvesting provides a potential solution to this problem in many applications. This paper introduces the characteristics and energy requirements of typical sensor network nodes, assesses a range of potential ambient energy sources, and outlines the principle of energy harvesting mode selection.