High-Efficiency Octave Bandwidth Rectifier for Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting

TL;DR

This paper introduces a compact, high-efficiency microwave rectifier with a novel segmented impedance matching technique that achieves over 50% efficiency across an octave bandwidth, suitable for electromagnetic energy harvesting.

Contribution

It proposes a unique segmented impedance matching method and a triple-band matching network to significantly expand rectifier bandwidth and efficiency.

Findings

Achieves over 50% efficiency from 1.3 to 2.55 GHz.

Maintains over 30% efficiency at -10 dBm input power.

Demonstrates practical fabrication and measurement results.

Abstract

This letter presents the design and implementation of a compact high-efficiency octave microwave rectifier. A key highlight is the novel segmented impedance matching method, a unique approach that expands the rectifier bandwidth. The diode reactance is initially regulated by a series short-ended microstrip line. Impedance-compensated structures, characterized by varying admittance properties across an extensive frequency range, partition the operating frequency band into two segments based on the input impedance, thereby minimizing impedance variation. Ultimately, the input impedance is matched by a novel triple-band matching network. An octave rectifier was fabricated and measured. Results demonstrate that the rectifier achieves over 50% efficiency over 1.3-2.55 GHz fractional bandwidth 64.9% at 0-dBm RF input power. Even with a decrease in input power to -10 dBm, the rectifier maintains over 30% efficiency.