527 research outputs found

    RF energy harvesters for wireless sensors, state of the art, future prospects and challenges: a review

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    The power consumption of portable gadgets, implantable medical devices (IMDs) and wireless sensor nodes (WSNs) has reduced significantly with the ongoing progression in low-power electronics and the swift advancement in nano and microfabrication. Energy harvesting techniques that extract and convert ambient energy into electrical power have been favored to operate such low-power devices as an alternative to batteries. Due to the expanded availability of radio frequency (RF) energy residue in the surroundings, radio frequency energy harvesters (RFEHs) for low-power devices have garnered notable attention in recent times. This work establishes a review study of RFEHs developed for the utilization of low-power devices. From the modest single band to the complex multiband circuitry, the work reviews state of the art of required circuitry for RFEH that contains a receiving antenna, impedance matching circuit, and an AC-DC rectifier. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages associated with various circuit architectures are comprehensively discussed. Moreover, the reported receiving antenna, impedance matching circuit, and an AC-DC rectifier are also compared to draw conclusions towards their implementations in RFEHs for sensors and biomedical devices applications

    RF Energy Harvesting Techniques for Battery-less Wireless Sensing, Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things: A Review

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    As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand, the demand for the use of energy-efficient circuits and battery-less devices has grown rapidly. Battery-less operation, zero maintenance and sustainability are the desired features of IoT devices in fifth generation (5G) networks and green Industry 4.0 wireless systems. The integration of energy harvesting systems, IoT devices and 5G networks has the potential impact to digitalize and revolutionize various industries such as Industry 4.0, agriculture, food, and healthcare, by enabling real-time data collection and analysis, mitigating maintenance costs, and improving efficiency. Energy harvesting plays a crucial role in envisioning a low-carbon Net Zero future and holds significant political importance. This survey aims at providing a comprehensive review on various energy harvesting techniques including radio frequency (RF), multi-source hybrid and energy harvesting using additive manufacturing technologies. However, special emphasis is given to RF-based energy harvesting methodologies tailored for battery-free wireless sensing, and powering autonomous low-power electronic circuits and IoT devices. The key design challenges and applications of energy harvesting techniques, as well as the future perspective of System on Chip (SoC) implementation, data digitization in Industry 4.0, next-generation IoT devices, and 5G communications are discussed

    A parasitic patch loaded staircase shaped UWB MIMO antenna having notch band for WBAN applications

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    A staircase-shaped quasi-fractal antenna is presented to meet the requirements of compact electronics operating in UWB or E-UWB spectrum. A conventional broadband monopole antenna is converted into UWB antenna utilizing three iterations of fractal patches. The resultant antenna offers wide impedance bandwidth ranges 2.3–17.8 GHz, having a notch band at 6.1–7.2 GHz. Afterwards, a two-port MIMO antenna is created by placing the second element orthogonally with an edge-to-edge distance of 8.5 mm, that is λ/15 where λ corresponds to free space wavelength at the lowest cut-off frequency. Hereafter, a meandered line-shaped stub is inserted to reduce the mutual coupling between closely spaced MIMO elements to less than −25 dB. As the intended application of the proposed work is On-body, Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) analyses are carried out at 2.4, 5.8 and 8 GHz, showing an acceptable range for both 1-g and 10-g averaged tissues standards. Moreover, various parameters of the MIMO antenna are studied, and a comparison is made between simulated and measured results as well as those of the state of the art

    Beam scanning by liquid-crystal biasing in a modified SIW structure

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    A fixed-frequency beam-scanning 1D antenna based on Liquid Crystals (LCs) is designed for application in 2D scanning with lateral alignment. The 2D array environment imposes full decoupling of adjacent 1D antennas, which often conflicts with the LC requirement of DC biasing: the proposed design accommodates both. The LC medium is placed inside a Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) modified to work as a Groove Gap Waveguide, with radiating slots etched on the upper broad wall, that radiates as a Leaky-Wave Antenna (LWA). This allows effective application of the DC bias voltage needed for tuning the LCs. At the same time, the RF field remains laterally confined, enabling the possibility to lay several antennas in parallel and achieve 2D beam scanning. The design is validated by simulation employing the actual properties of a commercial LC medium

    Harnessing energy for wearables: a review of radio frequency energy harvesting technologies

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    Wireless energy harvesting enables the conversion of ambient energy into electrical power for small wireless electronic devices. This technology offers numerous advantages, including availability, ease of implementation, wireless functionality, and cost-effectiveness. Radio frequency energy harvesting (RFEH) is a specific type of wireless energy harvesting that enables wireless power transfer by utilizing RF signals. RFEH holds immense potential for extending the lifespan of wireless sensors and wearable electronics that require low-power operation. However, despite significant advancements in RFEH technology for self-sustainable wearable devices, numerous challenges persist. This literature review focuses on three key areas: materials, antenna design, and power management, to delve into the research challenges of RFEH comprehensively. By providing an up-to-date review of research findings on RFEH, this review aims to shed light on the critical challenges, potential opportunities, and existing limitations. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of further research and development in RFEH to advance its state-of-the-art and offer a vision for future trends in this technology

    Design of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces for Wireless Communication: A Review

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    Existing literature reviews predominantly focus on the theoretical aspects of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs), such as algorithms and models, while neglecting a thorough examination of the associated hardware components. To bridge this gap, this research paper presents a comprehensive overview of the hardware structure of RISs. The paper provides a classification of RIS cell designs and prototype systems, offering insights into the diverse configurations and functionalities. Moreover, the study explores potential future directions for RIS development. Notably, a novel RIS prototype design is introduced, which integrates seamlessly with a communication system for performance evaluation through signal gain and image formation experiments. The results demonstrate the significant potential of RISs in enhancing communication quality within signal blind zones and facilitating effective radio wave imaging

    Design and analysis of metamaterial based microstrip patch antennas for wireless applications.

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    Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Due to the tremendous growth of wireless communication applications, there is an enormous demand for more compact antennas with high speed, wider coverage, high gain, and multi-band properties. The microstrip patch antennas (MPAs) and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas with high gain and multi-band properties are suitable to fulfil these requirements. MPAs have been found to possess unique qualities such as light weight, low profile, easy fabrication, and integration. However, the low gain, narrow bandwidth, and mutual coupling in the MIMO antennas limit the performance of MIMO systems. Several techniques have been studied and implemented over the years, but they are not without limitations. The utilization of artificial materials such as metamaterials has proven to be efficient in overcoming the limitations of MPAs. Due to the advancement in modern technology, it is necessary to study and use recently developed metamaterial structures. Metamaterials (MeTMs) are artificially engineered materials with electromagnetic properties that are not found in nature. MeTMs are used due to their electric and magnetic properties. The goal of this thesis is to design and investigate a novel metamaterial structure which can be integrated into the microstrip patch antennas for improving their performance. The design, simulation, and measurement of the metamaterial is carried out on the Computer Simulation Technology (CST) studio suite, Advance Design Systems (ADS) software, MATLAB, and the Rohde and Schwarz network analyzer etc. In this thesis, a novel I-shaped metamaterial (ISMeTM) structure is proposed, designed, and investigated. The proposed novel ISMeTM unit cell structure in this work has a characteristic shape that distinguishes it from earlier multi-band MeTMs in the literature. The structure's unit cell is designed to have an overall compact size of 10 mm × 10 mm. The structure generates transmission coefficients at 6.31 GHz, 7.79 GHz, 9.98 GHz, 10.82 GHz, 11.86 GHz, 13.36 GHz, and 15. 5 GHz. These frequency bands are ideal for multi-band satellite communication systems, C, X, and Ku-bands, and radar applications etc. The performance of the MPA is improved in this work, by integrating a novel square split ring resonator (SSRR) metamaterial. The performance of the proposed antenna is investigated and analyzed. The SSRR is designed to have a dimension of 25 x 21.4 x 1.6 mm2 which is the same dimension as the radiating patch of the MPA. The SSRR is etched over the antenna, and it operates at single operating frequency of 5.8 GHz with improved gain from 4.04 to 5.3 dBi. Further, the MPA with improved parameters for multiband wireless systems is designed, analyzed, fabricated, and measured. The proposed design utilizes the ISMeTM array as superstrate with the area of 70 x 70 mm2. The superstrate is etched over a rectangular MPA exhibiting multi-band properties. This antenna resonates at 6.31, 9.65, 11.45 GHz with increased bandwidth at 240 MHz, 850 MHz, and 1010 MHz. The overall gain of the antenna increases by 74.18%. The antenna is fabricated and measured. The simulated results and the measured results are found to be in good agreement. The mutual coupling and low gain problems in MIMO patch antennas is also addressed in this thesis. A 3 x 5-unit cell array of the ISMeTM is used as a superstrate over a two port MIMO patch antenna. The two port MIMO antenna with the superstrate provides triple-band operation and operates over three resonance frequencies at 6.31, 9.09, and 11.41 GHz. A mutual coupling reduction of 26 dB, 33 dB, and 22 dB for the first band, second band and third band, respectively is attained. In this thesis, a novel I-shaped metamaterial structure is introduced, which produces multiband operation. The presented metamaterial is suitable for various multiband wireless communication applications. The integration of a square split ring resonator metamaterial enhances the performance of the antenna. Using the I-shaped metamaterial a high gain multiband microstrip antenna is designed. The I-shaped metamaterial array is utilized to improve the performance of the MIMO antenna. Various antenna parameters confirm that the presented MIMO antenna is suitable for multiband wireless communications

    Analysis of Dual-Element Antenna Configurations

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    Dual-dipole antennas have been extensively researched previously for their bandwidth enhancing effect on Yagi type antennas. In this thesis, dual-dipole antennas are fabricated and measured. These experimental measurement results are verified with simulated values. First, a standard dual-dipole antenna is investigated and found that the high magnitude, opposite current directions on the dipole arms are the reasoning behind the creation of a high gain mode. This pattern is similar to a Yagi antenna. Next, a dual-band implementation of the dual-dipole antenna is shown, with two distinct resonances in a lower band and an upper band. Both bandwidths exhibit a dipole like mode, as well as a high gain mode. Finally, a dual-element cross-dipole antenna application is investigated. The antenna exhibits multiple dipole like modes within the bandwidth, high gain points, and CP generation at the center frequency

    A Compact Hybrid Liquid Antenna for Wi-Fi Applications

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    In this paper, a hybrid antenna is introduced for multi-band applications. The proposed antenna overcomes the problems associated with designing dual/multi-band antennas with a compact size of ≤ 1/2λ 0 in the overall dimensions. A liquid dielectric resonator antenna and a ME - dipole configuration is considered together for this to realize multi-mode operation achieving decent broadside gain and efficiency
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