Dual-Band 802.11 RF Energy Harvesting Optimization for IoT Devices with Improved Patch Antenna Design and Impedance...

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Wireless Communication
• Energy Harvesting

Background:

• The proliferation of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) necessitates sustainable power solutions.
• Limited power access in remote locations challenges the operational lifespan of low-power IoT devices.
• Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvesting presents a viable alternative to conventional power sources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of harvesting Radio Frequency (RF) energy from Wi-Fi bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz).
• To design, simulate, and fabricate a dual-band antenna for efficient Wi-Fi energy capture.
• To develop an impedance-matching network for optimized RF-to-DC power conversion.

Main Methods:

• Design and simulation of dual-band C-shaped and F-shaped microstrip antennas using a high-frequency simulator.
• Optimization of antenna designs for impedance matching and efficient RF-DC conversion.
• Fabrication and experimental validation of antenna performance, focusing on the reflection coefficient.

Main Results:

• The proposed dual-band antenna design demonstrates high efficiency, confirmed by simulation and experimental results.
• Optimized impedance matching and an impedance-matching network significantly reduce signal reflection.
• Effective conversion of harvested Wi-Fi RF energy into usable electrical power for IoT devices.

Conclusions:

• The developed dual-band antenna system efficiently harvests Wi-Fi energy, offering a sustainable power source for low-power IoT devices.
• This technology provides a practical solution for powering devices in remote locations, enhancing the longevity of wireless sensor networks.
• The research paves the way for more autonomous and enduring IoT applications and WSNs.