Recycling ambient microwave energy with broad-band rectenna arrays
15 Mar 2004-IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques (IEEE)-Vol. 52, Iss: 3, pp 1014-1024
TL;DR: In this article, a 64-element dual-circularly-polarized spiral rectenna array is designed and characterized over a frequency range of 2-18 GHz with single-tone and multitone incident waves.
Abstract: This paper presents a study of reception and rectification of broad-band statistically time-varying low-power-density microwave radiation. The applications are in wireless powering of industrial sensors and recycling of ambient RF energy. A 64-element dual-circularly-polarized spiral rectenna array is designed and characterized over a frequency range of 2-18 GHz with single-tone and multitone incident waves. The integrated design of the antenna and rectifier, using a combination of full-wave electromagnetic field analysis and harmonic balance nonlinear circuit analysis, eliminates matching and filtering circuits, allowing for a compact element design. The rectified dc power and efficiency is characterized as a function of dc load and dc circuit topology, RF frequency, polarization, and incidence angle for power densities between 10/sup -5/-10/sup -1/ mW/cm/sup 2/. In addition, the increase in rectenna efficiency for multitone input waves is presented.
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TL;DR: This paper presents an overview of the RF-EHNs including system architecture, RF energy harvesting techniques, and existing applications, and explores various key design issues according to the network types, i.e., single-hop networks, multiantenna networks, relay networks, and cognitive radio networks.
Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) energy transfer and harvesting techniques have recently become alternative methods to power the next-generation wireless networks As this emerging technology enables proactive energy replenishment of wireless devices, it is advantageous in supporting applications with quality-of-service requirements In this paper, we present a comprehensive literature review on the research progresses in wireless networks with RF energy harvesting capability, which is referred to as RF energy harvesting networks (RF-EHNs) First, we present an overview of the RF-EHNs including system architecture, RF energy harvesting techniques, and existing applications Then, we present the background in circuit design as well as the state-of-the-art circuitry implementations and review the communication protocols specially designed for RF-EHNs We also explore various key design issues in the development of RF-EHNs according to the network types, ie, single-hop networks, multiantenna networks, relay networks, and cognitive radio networks Finally, we envision some open research directions
2,352 citations
TL;DR: The idea of wireless power transfer (WPT) has been around since the inception of electricity and Nikola Tesla described the freedom to transfer energy between two points without the need for a physical connection to a power source as an?all-surpassing importance to man? as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The idea of wireless power transfer (WPT) has been around since the inception of electricity. In the late 19th century, Nikola Tesla described the freedom to transfer energy between two points without the need for a physical connection to a power source as an ?all-surpassing importance to man? [1]. A truly wireless device, capable of being remotely powered, not only allows the obvious freedom of movement but also enables devices to be more compact by removing the necessity of a large battery. Applications could leverage this reduction in size and weight to increase the feasibility of concepts such as paper-thin, flexible displays [2], contact-lens-based augmented reality [3], and smart dust [4], among traditional point-to-point power transfer applications. While several methods of wireless power have been introduced since Tesla?s work, including near-field magnetic resonance and inductive coupling, laser-based optical power transmission, and far-field RF/microwave energy transmission, only RF/microwave and laser-based systems are truly long-range methods. While optical power transmission certainly has merit, its mechanisms are outside of the scope of this article and will not be discussed.
745 citations
Cites background from "Recycling ambient microwave energy ..."
...In some cases, multiband [17]–[20], or wide band [22]–[24] energy harvesters have been utilized to take advantage of ambient RF energy or signals from multiple bands....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a brief history of energy harvesting for low power systems followed by a review of the state-of-the-art energy harvesting techniques, power conversion, power management, and battery charging.
635 citations
IMEC1
TL;DR: The feasibility of harvesting is discussed, leading to the conclusion that RF energy transport is preferred for powering small sized sensors by radio-frequency energy harvesting or transport.
Abstract: This paper presents an overview of principles and requirements for powering wireless sensors by radio-frequency (RF) energy harvesting or transport. The feasibility of harvesting is discussed, leading to the conclusion that RF energy transport is preferred for powering small sized sensors. These sensors are foreseen in future Smart Buildings. Transmitting in the ISM frequency bands, respecting the transmit power limits ensures that the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) exposure limits are not exceeded. With the transmit side limitations being explored, the propagation channel is next discussed, leading to the observation that a better than free-space attenuation may be achieved in indoors line-of-sight environments. Then, the components of the rectifying antenna (rectenna) are being discussed: rectifier, dc-dc boost converter, and antenna. The power efficiencies of all these rectenna subcomponents are being analyzed and finally some examples are shown. To make RF energy transport a feasible powering technology for low-power sensors, a number of precautions need to be taken. The propagation channel characteristics need to be taken into account by creating an appropriate transmit antenna radiation pattern. All subcomponents of the rectenna need to be impedance matched, and the power transfer efficiencies of the rectifier and the boost converter need to be optimized.
629 citations
Cites background from "Recycling ambient microwave energy ..."
...Digital Object Identifier: 10.1109/JPROC.2013.2250891 1410 Proceedings of the IEEE | Vol. 101, No. 6, June 2013 0018-9219/$31.00 2013 IEEE Wireless power transport (WPT) is actively researched by groups in Finland [7], United States [8]–[10], Korea [11], Japan [12], Belgium [13], Germany [14], and at many other places....
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...Wireless power transport (WPT) is actively researched by groups in Finland [7], United States [8]–[10], Korea [11], Japan [12], Belgium [13], Germany [14], and at many other places....
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TL;DR: The state of the art in nanos sensor technology is surveyed from the device perspective, by explaining the details of the architecture and components of individual nanosensors, as well as the existing manufacturing and integration techniques for nanosensor devices.
613 citations
Additional excerpts
...Alternatively, nanoscale rectennas [25], i....
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References
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TL;DR: The history of power transmission by radiowaves is reviewed from Heinrich Hertz to the present time with emphasis upon the free-space microwave power transmission era beginning in 1958 as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The history of power transmission by radiowaves is reviewed from Heinrich Hertz to the present time with emphasis upon the free-space microwave power transmission era beginning in 1958. The history of the technology is developed in terms of its relationship to the intended applications. These include microwave powered aircraft and the Solar Power Satellite concept.
1,562 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a high-efficiency rectenna element has been designed and tested at 5.8 GHz for applications involving microwave-power transmission, which achieves an RF-to-DC conversion efficiency of 82% at an input power level of 50 mW and 327 /spl Omega/ load.
Abstract: A high-efficiency rectenna element has been designed and tested at 5.8 GHz for applications involving microwave-power transmission. The dipole antenna and filtering circuitry are printed on a thin duroid substrate. A silicon Schottky-barrier mixer diode with a low breakdown voltage is used as the rectifying device. The rectenna element is tested inside a waveguide simulator and achieves an RF-to-DC conversion efficiency of 82% at an input power level of 50 mW and 327 /spl Omega/ load. Closed-form equations are given for the diode efficiency and input impedance as a function of input RF power. Measured and calculated efficiency results are in good agreement. The antenna and circuit design are based on a full-wave electromagnetic simulator. Second harmonic power levels are 21 dB down from the fundamental input power.
483 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a 35 GHz rectenna with 39% conversion efficiency was developed using a microstrip dipole antenna and a commercially available mixer diode, which was demonstrated using this diode at 10 GHz.
Abstract: A 35-GHz rectenna has been developed with 39% conversion efficiency. The rectenna uses a microstrip dipole antenna and a commercially available mixer diode. Over 60% conversion efficiency was demonstrated using this diode at 10 GHz. A theoretical analysis was derived to predict the performance of the rectenna. The analysis is a useful tool for device and circuit design. The theoretical and experimental results should have many applications in microwave power transmission and detection. >
467 citations
18 Jun 1995
TL;DR: In this paper, the theoretical performance limits of two-phase switched-capacitor (SC) DC-DC power converters are discussed and the complete set of attainable DC conversion ratios is found.
Abstract: The theoretical performance limits of two-phase switched-capacitor (SC) DC-DC power converters are discussed in this paper. For a given number of capacitors k, the complete set of attainable DC conversion ratios is found. The maximum step-up or step-down ratio is given by the k/sup th/ Fibonacci number, while the bound on the number of switches required in any SC circuit is 3k-2. Practical implications, illustrated by several SC power converter examples, include savings in the number of components required for a given application, and the ability to construct SC power converters that can maintain the output voltage regulation and high conversion efficiency over a wide range of input voltage variations. Limits found for the output resistance and efficiency can be used for selection and comparison of SC power converters. >
426 citations
Book•
12 Apr 1996
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an analysis and modeling of ring resonators modes and coupling methods, including ring couplers and waveguide ring cavities and filter ring antennas.
Abstract: Analysis and modeling of ring resonators modes and coupling methods of ring resonators peturbed ring resonators electronically tunable and switchable ring resonators measurement applications using ring resonators filter applications using ring resonators ring couplers and applications waveguide ring cavities and filters ring antennas other applications
280 citations