Wideband RCN-based RF Rectifier for Multi-Source Wireless Energy Harvesting

Abstract This paper presents a wideband RF rectifier architecture designed for efficient wireless energy harvesting across multiple ambient power sources. The proposed architecture integrates a resistance compression network (RCN) with a modified L-section impedance matching network (IMN) to ensure a stable input impedance over a wide operating band. The design is divided into two stages, each designed with a modified L-section matching network (MN) realized through a series of impedance transformer (ITx). To achieve broadband matching, a wideband RCN is incorporated to couple the dual rectifier stages to the 50Ω transmission line (TL). The rectifier, fabricated on an FR-4 substrate and employing HSMS-2850 Schottky diodes, exhibits a simulated (measured) operating bandwidth (BW) of 1.23 GHz (1.22 GHz) across the 1.63-2.86 GHz and 1.62-2.84 GHz range. This corresponds to a fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 54.8% simulated and 54.7% measured. Experimental measurements show that the rectifier achieves a peak RF-to-DC power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 75% at an input level P in of 8 dBm, while sustaining stable operation under typical ambient RF conditions. The proposed design enables a broad range of usable RF P in , extending from-30 dBm up to 10 dBm, when evaluated across a 2 kΩ load. The results indicate that the proposed architecture can effectively support low power IoT and wearable devices by ensuring dependable energy acquisition across several communication bands.