A system includes a computing device that selectively communicates with a self-powered device. The self-powered device has several modes of operation, including a first low-power mode of operation and a second high-power mode of operation. The self-powered device is to communicate with the computing device when the self-powered device is in the second mode of operation. The self-powered device may conserve power by alternating between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation such that the self-powered device is in the second mode of operation during pre-determined or adaptively-determined time intervals. A duty-cycle of the second mode of operation relative to the first mode of operation may be in accordance with a power budget for the self-powered device.