New Practical Nonlinear Energy-Harvesting Models for Wireless-Powered Communications

Abstract

As a massive number of nodes are expected to be connected to each other in next-generation wireless networks, the power supply of such multiple-antenna nodes is a challenge and requires new and sustainable solutions. Radio frequency energy harvesting (EH) is among the promising approaches to solve this issue. In this paper, two new mathematically tractable nonlinear EH (NL-EH) models are proposed, for which the system performance is evaluated in terms of average harvested power, throughput, and bit error probability. The system consists of one multiantenna power-constraint source harvesting its power from a dedicated power beacon and transmitting its signal to a destination equipped with multiple antennas. For a comprehensive analysis of the system, closed-form expressions are derived for Nakagami- m fading channels and the special case of Rayleigh channels. For comparison purposes, the performance derivations in Nakagami- m fading channels are provided for linear and piece-wise linear EH models given in the literature. Besides, the simulation results are obtained by applying the Monte-Carlo method for NL-EH models existing in the literature. The results provide a broadening view of EH systems and thoroughly compare the proposed NL-EH models with linear, piece-wise linear, and NL-EH models available in the literature. Hence, these provide better insights towards the analyses and design of EH systems.