Abstract: The mathematical model of the vibration-based piezoelectric generator with the proof mass supported by a cantilever is established. The formulas of the frequency, the output voltage and the output power are derived. Testing results show that this model is more accurate than Roundy’s model. According to such characters as large transient power and small average power of the typical wireless sensor node, the power self-regulation circuit of the piezoelectric multi-shaker micro-generator is proposed. When the electricity in the super capacitor of the main circuit is enough to power the wireless sensor node, the main circuit is opened by the ancillary return circuit and the node starts to measure and transfer the results to the monitoring center. The field test on an engine of a ship shows that the vibration-based piezoelectric generator can be used to power a wireless sensor node.

Key words: Mathematical model, Power self-regulation circuit, Vibration-based piezoelectric generator, Wireless sensor node