A New Self-Powered Temperature Sensor Based on Thermoelectric Generators

Abstract

This article presents a new self-powered temperature sensor based on thermoelectric generators (TEGs). Two different types of TEGs measure temperature and supply the interface circuit. The interface circuit calculates and generates an output current proportional to the cold-surface temperature of the TEGs. Since TEG output voltage depends on the temperature difference between the cold and hot surfaces, a three-terminal TEG has been used. A combination structure of the two PbTe and Bi2Te3 TEGs are thermally in parallel and electrically in series. The new method uses a machine-learning algorithm and Seebeck curve fitting for temperature calculation. For the cold surface temperature range of 0 °C to 70 °C, the error is less than ±1 °C.