Multi-band multi-location RF power survey and ambient RF energy harvesting circuit

TLDR: This paper presents multi-band and multi-location radio frequency (RF) survey for ambient energy harvesting as an alternative to costly spectrum analyzers, conducted using software defined radio for FM, cellular band and Wi-Fi band.

Abstract: This paper presents multi-band and multi-location radio frequency (RF) survey for ambient energy harvesting As an alternative to costly spectrum analyzers, the survey was conducted using software defined radio for FM (88–108 MHz), cellular band (880 MHz) and Wi-Fi band (24 GHz) The power levels at three different locations in a tier-II smart city were recorded and plotted to get information on the available ambient RF power levels A full wave voltage quadrupler circuit (2-stage Dickson rectifier) was implemented to act as a rectifier and a voltage booster Two different types of antennae were used for capturing the ambient RF signals – wire antenna and capacitive loop antenna No impedance matching circuitry was employed and the ambient RF signals were used to charge up a capacitor connected to the rectifier output Capacitive loop antenna helped in achieving a peak capacitor voltage of 16 V and outperformed the simple wire antenna which provided a peak capacitor voltage of 13 V The charged capacitor was also used to drive an LED