Improving Plant Health with Smart Autonomous Sensors
This keynote talk will explore the latest research and advancements in energy-autonomous, maintenance-free wireless systems for AgriFood Electronics. These innovative sensors, powered by energy harvested from the surrounding environment, are battery-free and cost-effective, offering significant benefits for agriculture.
The presentation will cover the design and development of sustainable, lowpower systems for powering these devices, emphasizing strategies, techniques, and circuits for data processing and transmission with a focus on low-power and energy-efficient operation. Attendees will gain insights into the potential of these smart sensors to improve plant health, monitor crops, and provide realtime data, reducing manual labor and maintenance requirements.
The talk will also address the challenges of implementing these sensors, such as ensuring long-range connectivity and developing low-cost solutions. Proposed solutions include the use of microcontrollers with embedded connectivity to manage harvested energy and create flexible, low-cost wireless sensor nodes.
By highlighting the latest developments and applications in AgriFood Electronics, the keynote will demonstrate how energy-autonomous and maintenancefree wireless systems open new perspectives and opportunities for the industry. Case studies from recent projects, such as the successful deployment of sensors in vineyards and greenhouses, will be presented, showcasing real-world applications and results. Attendees will leave with a comprehensive understanding of the impact these technologies can have on plant health and the broader agricultural sector.
STMicroelectronics
Dr. Roberto La Rosa
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Roberto La Rosa is an esteemed electrical engineer with a Master’s degree from the University of Palermo and a Ph.D. from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. His doctoral thesis, which merited the prestigious Thomas Gessner Award in 2023, concentrated on pioneering strategies and techniques for the autonomous operation of wireless sensor nodes via energy harvesting and wireless power transfer.
Since his tenure beginning in 1997 at STMicroelectronics, Dr. La Rosa has been instrumental in various capacities. His expertise has been integral in the design of high-frequency Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs) for clock generation and signal recovery, fiber-optic transceiver systems, power management integrated circuits, and the development of analog, digital, and mixed-signal bipolar and CMOS circuits. His proficiency in IC mixed-signal design and ultra-low power applications has been pivotal in advancing these technological areas.
Currently, as a Research Senior Staff Member at STMicroelectronics Catania, Dr. La Rosa’s research is focused on Ultra-Low Power applications, Wireless Power Transfer, Energy Harvesting, and high-frequency power conversion. He has authored several influential papers and holds multiple patents in these fields, underscoring his leadership in energy autonomy for wireless sensor networks.
Beyond his research, Dr. La Rosa is an Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Agrifood Electronics, contributing significantly to the field. He is passionate about mentoring young engineers and advancing sustainable technologies. His work pushes the boundaries of electrical engineering and aims to create a more energy-efficient and connected world.