Design and Simulation of a Noise-To-Electrical Energy Conversion System Optimised Using a Half-Wave Cockcroft-Walton Voltage Multiplier

The growing demand for decentralised micro power sources has intensified interest in harvesting ambient energy, including acoustic noise, to supplement conventional supplies. This work presents the design and simulation of a noise-to-electrical-energy conversion system optimised using a half-wave Cockcroft–Walton voltage multiplier. Ambient sound is captured and converted into low-level alternating current (AC) voltage by a piezoelectric transducer array, which is then stepped up to a usable direct current (DC) level by a multi‑stage half‑wave Cockcroft–Walton ladder. Mathematical models for the piezoelectric source and the Cockcroft–Walton multiplier are developed to relate output voltage, ripple, and efficiency to stage count, component values, load current, and excitation frequency. A simulation model is implemented in a circuit simulation environment, incorporating the piezoelectric source, half‑wave Cockcroft-Walton multiplier, regulation/charging unit, and a 12 V battery with an inverter stage. Results show that the multiplier significantly boosts the piezoelectric output from ≈9.5 V peak to ≈19 V DC before regulation, enabling stable 12 V battery charging and sufficient power for small loads, with high multiplication efficiency and acceptable ripple. Parametric studies highlight the trade‑offs between voltage gain, internal impedance, and ripple as the number of stages and capacitances vary, guiding optimal design choices. The proposed system demonstrates the feasibility of noise energy harvesting enhanced by a half‑wave Cockcroft–Walton multiplier as a compact, low-power renewable source for micro‑electronic and household applications.