I have an iComSat GSM Arduino Shield (based on the sim900) and a gear motor that I am planning on using with a Teensy 3.1 microcontroller. I'd like to power the whole rig using a 2000mAh LiPo Battery Cell.
So I have:
- Teensy microcontroller Vin= 3.4 - 4.5V
- GSM Shield __ | Vin=9-20V _ Iavg=500mA _ Ipulse=2000mA
- Gear Motor __ | Vin=6V _ Ifree=70mA _ Istall=1600mA
- LiPo Battery Pack __ | V=3.3 - 4.3 V _ Imax = 2C = 4000mA
My question is which of the following courses of action should I take, and are there alternative courses of action that I haven't thought of yet?
Use boosting circuits to boost the battery voltage up to 6 V and 15 V for the gear motor and the GSM module, respectively
Use a higher voltage battery source (i.e. 12 or 15V) and use voltage reduction circuits to limit the voltage seen by the servo and microcontroller.
Get a sim 900 GSM module on its own (i.e. not integrated into an Arduino Shield) and use it directly with the battery (the sim900 on its own needs 3.2 - 4.8 V). I would still use a boosting circuit for the gear motor.
What's the most energy efficient and robust solution? Or is there another solution I haven't though of?