Wireless and battery-free acoustic biosensor

Prototype de capteur acoustique

At the interface between the Internet of Things and sound and music computing, the Internet of Sounds is an emerging field of research of interest for researchers at the Laboratory of Digital Sciences of Nantes (LS2N), which brings together the CNRS, Centrale Nantes, Nantes University and IMT Atlantique. By combining the skills of two research groups - Signal, Image and Sound and Real Time System (RTS) -, LS2N researchers successfully established the basic technology for a wireless, battery-free acoustic biosensor.

Led by Vincent Lostanlen, a CNRS research fellow specialising in computer-based sound processing, the group of researchers from Nantes has completely rethought the way acoustic detection devices are designed in order to reduce their ecological footprint as much as possible. The team has proposed an acoustic sensor that applies the principle of digital sobriety in terms of both design and operation.

Vincent Lostanlen:

At present, bioacoustic devices intended in particular for monitoring bird species in their natural environment are all powered by batteries, which must be regularly recharged by an operator or using solar panels. However, these lithium-based batteries contain chemical pollutants and have a shorter lifespan than the electronic components used to manufacture the sensor.

To meet this two-fold challenge, the researchers came up with a prototype design for a battery-free acoustic sensor that uses a new information storage system: ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM).

Vincent Lostanlen:

This technology enables information already acquired to be retained in the event of an unexpected power cut, a likely regular occurrence in the absence of a battery.

Unlike Flash memory, which is used in most of today's smart sensors, FeRAM memory is fast, durable and consumes very little power.

The team has already managed to prove the technical feasibility of this new concept.

► Learn more (in French) on the CNRS website