ROHM Introduces Guidepost CellLocation Detection Infrastructure Energy-Harvesting DSC

A variety of mobile devices that utilize Global Positioning Systems and other outdoor location detection services have been produced in recent years. However, GPS operation is often spotty or non-existent indoors, driving the demand for better performance. As a result, several new positioning methods are currently being researched, including broadcasting GPS signals indoors or diverting radio waves transmitted from wireless LAN base stations.

In response to this burgeoning market need, ROHM, Ritsumeikan University and ISID co-developed Guidepost Cell technology, which utilizes advanced location detection and energy harvesting methods to enable an expected positional accuracy within 1 meter, while requiring no external power source for operation.

Key Guidepost Cell Benefits:

• High-accuracy location detection — Configuring its Wi-Fi infrastructure for indoor location detection instead of communication using low-power beacon transmission enables Guidepost Cell to provide high-accuracy location detection with minimal power consumption
• Low operating costs — Guidepost Cell utilizes ROHM’s dye-sensitized solar cell technology that efficiently harvests energy from indoor lights, eliminating the need for an external power supply while reducing installation and electricity costs
• Application compatibility — Standard 802.11 wireless transmission protocol ensures compatibility with smartphones and other portable devices

Dye-sensitized Solar Cell

Key Features:
• Designed to generate electricity efficiently under indoor lighting. Industry-leading power generation: 48μW/cm2 under 1000 lux
• Available in various shapes, sizes, and colors to fit a number of applications. (In contrast to its competitors, ROHM is focusing on R&D of compact high-efficiency DSCs.)

Applications:
• Indoor power sources for low-power electronic devices such as wall clocks and calculators as well as next-generation systems such as indoor sensor networks.