A parametric frequency domain approach to analysis and design of critical design parameters of nonlinear energy harvesting systems: Parametric output spectrum and power generation functions

•It is for the first time to provide explicit expressions for power generations with respect to structural parameters of a nonlinear energy harvesting system.•Vibration output response and power generation functions are established into unique linear and nonlinear characteristic output spectrum (lnCOS) functions.•The lnCOS functions are directly related to critical design parameters and such advantages cannot be achieved in a traditional way.•This paper presents an efficient approach to the analysis and design of nonlinear systems with respect to design parameters.