This work designs and implements a single-stage rectifier-based RF energy harvesting device. This device integrates a receiving antenna and a rectifying circuit to convert ambient electromagnetic energy into useful DC power efficiently. The rectenna is carefully engineered with an optimal matching circuit, achieving high efficiency with a return loss of less than -10 dB. The design uses a practical model of the Schottky diode, where both RF and DC characteristics are derived through extensive experimental measurements. The results from both experiments and simulations confirm the effectiveness of the design, showing its proficiency in efficient RF energy harvesting under low-power conditions. The antenna produced operates in the wifi band with a gain close to 4 dBi and a bandwidth of 100 MHz. With a load resistance of 1600 Ω, the proposed device achieves an impressive RF-to-DC conversion efficiency of approximately 52% at a low incident power of -5 dBm. These findings highlight the potential and reliability of rectenna systems for practical and efficient RF energy harvesting applications. The study significantly contributes to our understanding of rectenna-based energy harvesting, providing valuable insights for future design considerations and applications in low-power RF systems.
In this article, we propose the design of a rectangular-shaped patch antenna suitable for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications and short and long-range Millimeter-Wave Communications. We begin with the design of a high-gain UWB rectangular patch antenna featuring a partial ground plane and operating within the 3.1-10.6 GHz bandwidth. Complementary Split Ring Resonators (CSRRs) are integrated on both sides of the structure to meet desired specifications. The resulting UWB antenna boasts an extended frequency bandwidth, covering 2.38-22.5 GHz (twice that of the original antenna), with a peak gain of 6.5 dBi and an 88% radiation efficiency. The grey wolf optimization technique (GWO) determines optimal structural dimensions. Validation of the antenna's performance is demonstrated through the strong agreement between measurement and simulation.
