The advancement of radio frequency energy harvesters (rfehs) as a revolutionary approach for solving energy crisis in wireless communication devices: A review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2021

Abstract

In this paper, the evolution and milestones of RFEH and related breakthroughs over the years are reviewed and presented. The review begins with an overview of the surging energy crisis due to the increasing demand for wireless communication devices. Furthermore, the RFEH mechanism that discusses the frequency bands utilized, the near field, and the far-field propagation are also presented. Various rectification techniques in CMOS RFEH, from the fundamental rectification method to cross-coupled-differential-drive (CCDD), are also examined and discussed. The performance is gauged through harvested output DC voltage and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) as well as the RF input power sensitivity. An assessment on the non-CMOS RFEH that includes the Schottky diode and Rectenna is also concisely described to analyze their contribution to RFEH's performances enhancement. Finally, a particular highlight of the 5G RFEH in mmWave is provided in presenting this work as an ongoing future solution to reduce the electronic circuit's battery dependency. The pros and cons of all the presented RFEHs are summarized and discussed as well. Continuous research and development activities are extensively being executed in developing a system that could ultimately solve the world's energy crisis, and RFEH seems to be a revolutionary approach.

Keywords

Radio frequency, Wireless communication, Consumer electronics, Long Term Evolution, 5G mobile communication, RF signals, Internet of Things, Radio frequency energy harvester (RFEH), Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), Schottky diode, Rectenna, Power conversion efficiency (PCE), Rectifier, Millimeter wave (mmWave), energy, 5G

Divisions

sch_ecs

Funders

Universiti Sains Malaysia under Research University Grant (RUI) [PCEDEC/8014079],Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) through the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia [PCEDEC/6071449],QEDT Venture

Publication Title

IEEE Access

Volume

9

Publisher

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Publisher Location

445 HOES LANE, PISCATAWAY, NJ 08855-4141 USA

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