Multiband printed rectenna for radio frequency energy harvesting (RF-EH)
Dalia N. Elshaekh, Hesham A. Mohamed, Lobna Yehia Abd El Menam, K.A.A. Sharshar, Somaya Kayed
Abstract
The growing demand for renewable energy has spurred significant interest in radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting as a sustainable method to power wireless devices. This paper presents a novel multiband monopole rectenna design for efficient RF energy harvesting across key wireless communication bands, including 900 MHz to 2.1 GHz (GSM/GPRS), 4.5 GHz (WiMAX), and 7 GHz (lower 5G). The antenna and rectifier are simulated in CST Studio and fabricated on a low-cost FR4 substrate. The monopole antenna exhibits strong resonances at 900 MHz, 4.5 GHz, and 7 GHz, with − 10 dB impedance bandwidths of 90, 7, and 21%, respectively, demonstrating robust impedance matching. Both simulated and measured reflection coefficients align with performance standards for WLAN, GSM/GPRS, and WiMAX applications. A key innovation of this work is the integration of a unified matching circuit that optimizes DC power conversion efficiency across multiple bands, simplifying the system architecture. The rectifier employs a Schottky diode with a low junction potential (0.34 mV) and a breakdown voltage of 2 V, striking an optimal balance between high power conversion efficiency and wideband operation. This design advances RF energy harvesting technology, offering a scalable and energy-efficient solution for next-generation wireless systems.