Powering E-Textiles Using a Single Thread Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting Rectenna

Wagih, M. , Weddell, A. S. and Beeby, S. (2021) Powering E-Textiles Using a Single Thread Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting Rectenna. In: 3rd International Conference on the Challenges, Opportunities, Innovations and Applications in Electronic Textiles (E-Textiles 2021), 3–4 November 2020, (doi: 10.3390/proceedings2021068016)

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Abstract

Radio frequency energy harvesting (RFEH) and wireless power transfer (WPT) are increasingly seen as a method of enabling sustainable computing, as opposed to mechanical or solar EH WPT does not require special materials or resonators and can be implemented using low-cost conductors and standard semiconductor devices. This work revisits the simplest antenna design, the wire monopole to demonstrate the lowest-footprint, lowest-cost rectifying antenna (rectenna) based on a single Schottky diode. The antenna is fabricated using a single Litz-wire silk-coated thread, embroidered into a standard textile substrate. The rectifier is fabricated on a compact lowcost flexible printed circuit board (PCB) using ultra-thin polyimide copper laminates to accommodate low-footprint surface mount components. The antenna maintains its bandwidth across the 868/915 MHz license-free band on- and off-body with only −4.7 dB degradation in total efficiency in human proximity. The rectenna achieves up to 55% RF to DC efficiency with 1.8 V DC output, at 1 mW of RF power, demonstrating its suitability as a power-supply unit for ultra-low power e-textile nodes.

Item Type:Conference Proceedings
Additional Information:Funding: This work was supported by the European Commission under H2020-EU.1.4.1.2. Grant number: 730957
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Wagih, Dr Mahmoud
Authors: Wagih, M., Weddell, A. S., and Beeby, S.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
ISSN:2504-3900
Published Online:25 January 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 by the authors
First Published:First published in Proceedings 2021 68(1): 16
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
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