Optimization of a Novel Rectenna for RF Energy Harvesting at 2.45 GHz

In this work, the different elements of a rectenna were optimized for the energy harvesting from Wi-Fi at 2.45 GHz, using the particle swarm optimization method with real or hybrid dimensions depending on the element. The antenna was optimized in different steps and for each one the effect on its performance was determined. For the rectifier, several commercial diodes were compared for evaluating the best selection for this application. Additionally, a low pass filter and an impedance matching of L-section were implemented as coupling elements. The antenna from the novel rectenna had a gain equal to 4.42 dBi due to the incorporation of a pixeled metasurface structure in the ground layer, and a maximum conversion efficiency of 73% with the diode SMS-7630. In this sense, the optimized rectenna presented a better performance than others from the literature for RF energy harvesting at 2.45 GHz. Therefore, the proposed rectenna can be a good alternative as a power supply in nodes of wireless sensor networks with the addition of the DC-DC boost converter LTC3105.