Patch antenna based on a photovoltaic cell for energy recovery and RF transmission

Abstract

This paper presents a review of existing works and solutions in the field of solar/electromagnetic energy harvesting and RF transmission. Solar cell antenna is a combination of Solar cell and Microstrip antenna. Solar Cell Antenna design is mainly used in autonomous property for transceiver. The objective of this work was to use photovoltaic solar cells in patch antenna structures. The radiating patch element of a patch antenna was replaced by a solar cell. Direct Current (DC) generation remained the original feature of the solar cell, but additionally it was now able to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves. Here, we used a new patch antenna structure based on a photovoltaic solar cell. It was then used to collect photo-generated current as well as Radio Frequency (RF) transmission. A mathematical model which would serve the minimization of power losses of the cell and therefore the improvement in the conversion efficiency was studied. A simulation allowed analyzing the performance of the antenna, with a silicon material, and testing its parameters such as the reflection coefficient (S11), gain, directivity and radiated power. The performance analysis of the solar cell patch antenna was conducted using Advanced Design System (ADS) software. Simulation results for this antenna showed a resonance at a frequency of 15.77 GHz with an effective return loss of −27.62dB and a gain of 5.77dBi.