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Integration of numerical and field-theoretical techniques in the design of single- and multi-band rectennas for micro-power generation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2010

Vittorio Rizzoli ,
Alessandra Costanzo ,
Diego Masotti  and
Francesco Donzelli
Vittorio Rizzoli
Affiliation:
DEIS, University of Bologna, viale Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna.
Alessandra Costanzo*
Affiliation:
DEIS – II School of Engineering, Cesena Campus, University of Bologna, Via Venezia 52 Cesena (FC), Italy.
Diego Masotti
Affiliation:
DEIS, University of Bologna, viale Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna.
Francesco Donzelli
Affiliation:
DEIS, University of Bologna, viale Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna.
*
Corresponding author: A. Costanzo Email: alessandra.costanzo@unibo.it
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Abstract

We introduce an integrated design methodology for the optimization of RF-to-DC conversion efficiency of multi-band rectennas (rectifying antennas), with the aim of harvesting the RF energy available in humanized environments. Existing RF sources can either operate at known frequencies, power budgets, and locations, or can be ubiquitously available at different frequency bands, and with unknown directions of incidence and polarizations. In all cases, the RF link power budget may be extremely low. In order to harvest a significant quantity of energy, it is thus mandatory to place a very special care in the design of each part of the receiving/storing system. For this purpose, the receiving antenna must be optimized together with the rectifying circuit and the load. In our work, this is accomplished by a rigorous design tool based on the concurrent use of nonlinear/electromagnetic (EM) CAD tools and EM theory. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by comparing the computed and measured performance of single- and multi-band rectennas, both linearly and circularly polarized. Such antennas are designed to harvest RF energy from a variety of cellular and WiFi systems that are normally present in civil environments.

Keywords

RF energy harvestingco-designEM theoryEM simulationRF to DC conversion efficiency
Type
Original Article
Information
International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies , Volume 2 , Special Issue 3-4: European Microwave Week 2009 , August 2010 , pp. 293 - 303
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the European Microwave Association 2010

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References

REFERENCES

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