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Integration of RF rectenna with thin film solar cell to power wearable electronics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2020

B. Naresh ,
Vinod Kumar Singh Open the ORCID record for Vinod Kumar Singh [Opens in a new window]  and
V. K. Sharma
B. Naresh
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical Engineering, Bhagwant University, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Vinod Kumar Singh*
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical Engineering, Bhagwant University, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
V. K. Sharma
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical Engineering, Bhagwant University, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
*
Author for correspondence: Vinod Kumar Singh, E-mail: singhvinod34@gmail.com
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Abstract

This paper reports an integration of dual band microstrip antenna with thin film amorphous silicon solar cell which creates a wearable system to harvest microwave energy. The multiple layers in the encapsulation of the thin film solar cell are used as a substrate for microstrip antenna. The rectifier and matching circuit are designed on cotton jeans material and the whole system is mechanically supported by the foam of 5 mm thick. The performance of the antenna is studied for the mechanical bending condition. The device has maintained good power conversion efficiency. The efficiency of the voltage doubler is tested by varying radio frequency power levels from −30 to10 dBm. The voltage doubler conversion efficiency at 1.85 and 2.45 GHz are 58 and 43%, respectively, for a load of 7.5 kΩ for an input power level of −5 dBm.

Keywords

Dual bandflexible substratemulti-layerring antennasolar cellwearable
Type
Wireless Power Transfer and Energy Harvesting
Information
International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , February 2021 , pp. 46 - 57
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the European Microwave Association 2020

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