Efficient RF energy harvest with a novel broadband Vivaldi rectenna

Abstract

Abstract In this article, a compact broadband rectifying antenna (rectenna) is proposed to harvest RF energy. A novel Vivaldi antenna is presented and an efficient rectifier with a single stub matching network is designed. Simulation and experiment have been performed and a good convergence is observed between the simulated and measured results. The experimental results show that the antenna features a broad bandwidth from 2.3 GHz to 2.85 GHz and the maximum conversion efficiency of the rectifier is up to 68% at 0 dBm. The maximum conversion efficiency and output voltage of the proposed rectenna are 58% and 1.6 V at 2.45 GHz under the input power of 0 dBm.