A Lean Control Theoretic Approach to Energy-Harvesting in Diffusion-Based Molecular Communications

This letter focuses on a diffusion-based molecular communication system, fed by a nanoscale energy-harvesting mechanism, and conceives a power control mechanism based on feedback control theory. Specifically, the load current drained by the transmitter interface is set proportionally to the available energy harvested from the environment by using a closed-loop control scheme. The resulting system is analytically described through a nonlinear state equation, that jointly considers harvesting and discharging processes. Its asymptotic stability is evaluated around the equilibrium point, while considering some technological constraints. Finally, a numerical example is discussed to clearly show the behavior of the proposed approach in conceivable scenarios.