Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer in Modern Communication Systems

TL;DR

This paper reviews SWIPT technology, focusing on hardware implementation and practical techniques, highlighting its potential integration into modern communication networks for efficient resource use.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of SWIPT systems, emphasizing hardware design, practical techniques, and integration benefits in current communication networks.

Findings

Analysis of rectenna circuit designs

Techniques for implementing SWIPT in various domains

Potential benefits for resource allocation and cognitive radio networks

Abstract

Energy harvesting for wireless communication networks is a new paradigm that allows terminals to recharge their batteries from external energy sources in the surrounding environment. A promising energy harvesting technology is wireless power transfer where terminals harvest energy from electromagnetic radiation. Thereby, the energy may be harvested opportunistically from ambient electromagnetic sources or from sources that intentionally transmit electromagnetic energy for energy harvesting purposes. A particularly interesting and challenging scenario arises when sources perform simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT), as strong signals not only increase power transfer but also interference. This paper provides an overview of SWIPT systems with a particular focus on the hardware realization of rectenna circuits and practical techniques that achieve SWIPT in the domains of time, power, antennas, and space. The paper also discusses the benefits of a potential integration of SWIPT technologies in modern communication networks in the context of resource allocation and cooperative cognitive radio networks.