Ultra-Low-Power Signal Processing Circuit for Magnetoelectric Sensor in Grid Network Topology Analysis

This letter proposes an ultra-low-power grid signal analog processor (UGSP) for magnetoelectric sensor systems. It is designed in accordance with the principle of lock-in amplifier (LIA) and employs an intermittent operation mode by dynamically controlling the duty cycle of the enable signal. As portable sensor interface platform, it achieves low-power, high-SNR signal detection in wireless sensor network (WSN) for grid network topology analysis. For validation, the UGSP chip is fabricated with a compact size of 15×15×4 mm3. Its power consumption is only 35 μW at a 3.3 V supply, and is significantly lower than that of conventional AD630-based LIA (600 mW). It has a SNR improvement of 55 dB. The utilization of this UGSP considerably prolongs the operational lifespan of the battery-powered detection circuitry on the WSN node. It is also applicable to other sensor technologies requiring low consumption and high sensitivity, self-powered monitoring systems in smart grids, early warning of power system faults, real-time diagnostics and other related applications.