Zero-Power Infrared Sensing

"Wake-up" sensors that consume effectively no battery power in standby, utilizing signal energy to activate.
Zero-Power Infrared Sensing

Zero-power infrared sensing employs "wake-up" sensor technology that remains in an ultra-low-power sleep state until activated by incoming infrared signals. These sensors harvest energy directly from the infrared radiation they detect, eliminating the need for battery power during standby periods.

The technology uses specialized photodetectors and energy-harvesting circuits that can remain dormant for extended periods, consuming nanowatts or less, then instantly activate when infrared signals are detected. This enables battery-free or extremely long-lasting sensor deployments for applications like motion detection, presence sensing, security systems, and IoT devices. The wake-up mechanism allows the sensor to remain completely passive until needed, dramatically extending battery life from months to years, or enabling completely battery-free operation in environments with sufficient ambient infrared energy.

Technology Readiness Level
4/9Formative
Category
Ambient Contextual Systems