A Meta-evaluation of Components of RF Energy Harvesting System

Abstract

Radio Frequency (RF) energy has turned out to be a modernistic and essentially a green source of energy for the applications requiring low input power. It contributes to a more efficient utilization of RF radiations which would otherwise be lost in the environment. This energy from RF radiations is practically free and ubiquitous and hence it has gained a lot of attention in recent times. This paper focuses at different components of a RF harvesting system, providing a basic idea to achieve efficient power conversion of ambient RF energy to usable DC form. Apart from a clear and understandable summary of the design topologies in RF harvesting, this study reveals some of the critical design considerations, some important design problems and works done to counter them. Through this paper we bring out the current status of the field, new technologies, and developments in system designs. The study indicates that the availability of a number of design options in each system block and a number of conditions to be fulfilled by the harvesting system may become overwhelming to handle. We highlight the major causes of inefficient power conversion and how can they possibly be removed. Research gaps have been identified. Hence, this study sets a reference for the further research in the design of different system blocks for RF energy harvesting systems.