Dual-Band Rectifier Dedicated to 2.45 and 5.8 GHz Bands for Radiofrequency Energy Harvesting

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a high-performance rectifier for radiofrequency energy harvesting (RF-EH) system. The proposed prototype operates in the two frequency bands, 2.45 and 5.8 GHz (part of the radio spectrum reserved internationally for industrial, scientific, and medical [ISM] purposes), which are widely present in the ambient environment, and enables energy to be recovered at low power levels to power loads of widely varying impedances. The designed rectifier is manufactured with dimensions of 0.31${\lambda }_0$ × 0.17${\lambda }_0$, with ${\lambda }_0$ the wavelength corresponding to the 2.45 GHz frequency. The rectifier is dual-band with a single series topology and good performance in terms of conversion efficiency at very low power levels (18% at −20 dBm at 2.45 GHz and 14% at −10 dBm at 5.8 GHz). The design methodology is detailed, and experimental results based on the prototype are presented and compared with the literature.