State-of-the-Art Techniques in RF Energy Harvesting Circuits

Ioannis D Bougas,Sotirios K Goudos,Achilles D Boursianis,Maria S Papadopoulou,Konstantinos Kokkinidis

doi:10.3390/telecom2040022

Ioannis D Bougas, Sotirios K Goudos + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/telecom2040022

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Abstract

The exigency for continuous use of electrical devices has created greater demands for electricity along with more efficient transmission techniques. Energy from natural resources can be solar, thermal, vibration, friction, or Radio Frequencies (RF) signals. This state-of-the-art work provides a summary of RF energy harvesting techniques and can be used as a guide for the manufacture of RF energy scavenging modules. The use of Radio Frequency (RF) Energy Harvesting (EH) technique contributes to the development of autonomous energy devices and sensors. A rectenna system includes three main units: the receiving antenna, the impedance matching network, and the rectifier. We thoroughly analyze how to design a rectenna system with special emphasis given on the design of the rectifier. At the same time many works of the last 10 years are presented. This review article categorizes the used topologies depending on the type of antennas, IMNs, and rectifiers and comparatively presents their advantages and disadvantages.

Highlights

Energy harvesting (EH) is the process in which energy is harvested from the environment and converted into electrical power
We focus on Radio Frequencies (RF) Energy Harvesting and wireless power transfer (WPT techniques as potential sources in autonomous energy systems) [1]
We have summarized the state-of-the-art RF energy scavenging technology during the last

Summary

Introduction

Energy harvesting (EH) is the process in which energy is harvested from the environment and converted into electrical power. The aim of energy harvesting is the energy autonomy of systems that would normally use batteries or were connected to a power supply network. This can be achieved by designing autonomous energy systems that can function in a variety of applications, such as in the diagnostic and therapeutical field (medical implants) with very low power consumption. A circuit that harvests RF energy from an ambient source, can exploit this energy to charge various storage systems. This type of circuit is expected to produce power levels in the 2 nW/cm range.

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