Abstract
This work presents the optimization of antenna captured low power radio frequency (RF) to direct current (DC) power converters using Schottky diodes for powering remote wireless sensors. Linearized models using scattering parameters show that an antenna and a matched diode rectifier can be described as a form of coupled resonator with different individual resonator properties. The analytical models show that the maximum voltage gain of the coupled resonators is mainly related to the antenna, diode and load (remote sensor) resistances at matched conditions or resonance. The analytical models were verified with experimental results. Different passive wireless RF power harvesters offering high selectivity, broadband response and high voltage sensitivity are presented. Measured results show that with an optimal resistance of antenna and diode, it is possible to achieve high RF to DC voltage sensitivity of 0.5 V and efficiency of 20% at −30 dBm antenna input power. Additionally, a wireless harvester (rectenna) is built and tested for receiving range performance.
Highlights
For autonomous powering of sensor nodes in remote or inaccessible areas, wireless power transfer provides the only viable option to power them from an energy source
This work presents different matching techniques based on different application requirements using Schottky diode-based radio frequency (RF) to direct current (DC) power converting circuits for wireless remote EM energy harvesting around 434 MHz and 13.6 MHz
Even though the RF to DC converter presented in Section 2.5.3 is the same as the L-match circuit realized with the HMSM-286C diodes at 13.6 MHz, the voltage gain is increased by a factor of 4 due to the large difference between the diodes resistance and source resistance so that at matched conditions high voltage gain occurs
Summary
For autonomous powering of sensor nodes in remote or inaccessible areas, wireless power transfer provides the only viable option to power them from an energy source. There are power transmitters/receivers scattered in practically any society, ranging from television transmission stations to cell phone transmitters and even wireless routers in our homes/offices or mobile phones. These transmitters in our environment and others which are on special dedicated frequencies produce ambient. RF power (on the order of microwatts) which can be used as a source for powering remote microwatt budget sensors through wireless energy harvesting. This work presents different matching techniques based on different application requirements using Schottky diode-based RF to DC power converting circuits for wireless remote EM energy harvesting around 434 MHz and 13.6 MHz. Generalized analytical models and limitations of the matched RF to DC power converters are discussed. Passive wireless energy harvesting finds applications in near field communications (NFC) [1], RFID tags [2,3,4,5], implantable electronics [6,7], and environmental monitoring [8], among others
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