Abstract
A compact and low-profile photovoltaic (PV) cell with a Built-In antenna is proposed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The proposed design exploits the gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based PV cell for antenna operation; for this purpose, a hexagonal slot with a trapezoidal perturbation is cut from the active area and bottom contact of the PV cell for resonance. The bottom contact of the PV cell is also used as the ground plane for the antenna. An AC blocking circuit is designed to prevent the flow of RF current toward the PV cell, and a chip inductor is used as an RF choke in the circuit. Thus, a single device simultaneously functions as a PV cell and an antenna. The GaAs PV cell shows a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.25% without antireflection coating, with an open-circuit voltage (V <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">oc</sub> ), a short-circuit current density (J <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">sc</sub> ), and a fill factor (FF) of 0.963 V, 21.00 mA/cm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> , and 65.52%, respectively. Furthermore, the optical transparency of the proposed PV-cell antenna is greater than 90%. The complete structure occupies an overall volume of 31.4 mm ×33 mm ×0.639 mm ( 0.25λ <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">o</sub> ×0.26λ <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">o</sub> ×0.0052λ <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">o</sub> at 2.45 GHz), and the antenna operates in the range of 2.14 to 2.94 GHz, with a gain of 2.8 dBi at 2.45 GHz.
Highlights
The growing potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) in numerous applications [1]–[4] has promoted rapid development of new technologies [5], [6]
Lithium-ion batteries have been used with IoT devices to provide power, but this method is inefficient owing to the large size, heavy weight, high cost, and limited life cycle associated with batteries; such batteries can be changed periodically, doing so will incur additional costs in terms of money and time
A gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based PV cell is used, and it is etched with a radiating slot for the antenna
Summary
The growing potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) in numerous applications [1]–[4] has promoted rapid development of new technologies [5], [6]. Two different devices have been integrated to increase the complexity of the design, which has adversely affected the performance of the PV cell because it decreases the PV cell’s exposure to light when the antenna is placed atop the PV cell. The functionality of the antenna is achieved by etching a hexagonal-shaped slot in the active area and bottom contact of the PV cell This approach of fabricating a PV cell with an antenna helps conserve space for IoT applications where previously both the PV cell and antenna were used separately. The advantage of this method is that a single multifunctional device with a low profile and compact structure can be developed. In the case of parallel orientation, the current is distributed uniformly, and it flows in the same
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
