Application of smart antenna technologies in simultaneous wireless information and power transfer

TLDR

Simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) uses RF signals to harvest energy, offering a promising way to extend the lifetime of energy‑constrained wireless nodes and fundamentally reshape communication network design. This article investigates the application of advanced smart antenna technologies—such as MIMO and relaying—to SWIPT. The authors examine single‑ and multi‑user network topologies employing MIMO and relaying, analyze trade‑offs between performance and complexity, and outline future research challenges. Smart antenna techniques can markedly enhance both the energy and spectral efficiency of SWIPT systems, providing promising solutions for balancing performance and complexity.

Abstract

Simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) is a promising solution to increase the lifetime of wireless nodes and hence alleviate the energy bottleneck of energy constrained wireless networks. As an alternative to conventional energy harvesting techniques, SWIPT relies on the use of radio frequency signals, and is expected to bring some fundamental changes to the design of wireless communication networks. This article focuses on the application of advanced smart antenna technologies to SWIPT, including multiple-input multiple-output and relaying techniques. These smart antenna technologies have the potential to significantly improve the energy efficiency and also the spectral efficiency of SWIPT. Different network topologies with single and multiple users are investigated, along with some promising solutions to achieve a favorable trade-off between system performance and complexity. A detailed discussion of future research challenges for the design of SWIPT systems is also provided.