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Recent Advances in RF Rectifying Technology for EM Energy Harvesting...
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Recent Advances in RF Rectifying Technology for EM Energy Harvesting and Wireless Power Transfer

A special issue of Electronics (ISSN 2079-9292). This special issue belongs to the section "Power Electronics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2025) | Viewed by 6718

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Chao Gu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Wireless Innovation, ECIT Institute, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT3 9DT, UK
Interests: antennas; RF metasurfaces; reconfigurable antennas and RF devices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zhiwei Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Electronics and Information, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Interests: microwave circuit; power amplifier; rectifier
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Radio frequency (RF) rectifying technology plays a vital role in electromagnetic (EM) energy harvesting and wireless power transfer applications. RF-to-DC conversion methods involve specialized circuits and components, such as diodes, resonant circuits, and impedance-matching networks. The antenna and rectifier circuit are essential components of an RF power harvesting system, enabling the conversion of RF power or alternating current (AC) into DC energy. Advancements in electromagnetic energy conversion techniques have paved the way for numerous applications, including wireless charging for electronic devices, energy harvesting for Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and wireless power transfer for electric vehicles. These technologies offer the potential for increased convenience, mobility, and sustainability by eliminating the need for physical connections and enabling autonomous operation. Recent advancements in RF rectifying technology have opened up new possibilities and challenges in the field. This Special Issue aims to gather and showcase the latest research and breakthroughs in RF rectifying technology for EM energy harvesting and wireless power transfer.

Topics of interest:

We invite researchers from academia and industry to contribute their original research articles, reviews, and case studies on the following topics but not limited to:

  • Novel RF rectifying circuit designs for efficient energy conversion;
  • Wideband and broadband rectennas for multi-frequency energy harvesting;
  • Adaptive and reconfigurable rectifying systems for enhanced power transfer efficiency;
  • Integration of rectifying technology with energy storage devices;
  • Efficient rectifying techniques for low-power and IoT applications;
  • Optimization approaches for maximizing energy harvesting from RF sources;
  • Advanced materials and fabrication techniques for RF rectifiers;
  • RF energy harvesting in challenging environments and scenarios;
  • Wireless power transfer using RF rectifying metasurface;
  • Standardization and regulatory aspects of RF rectifying technology.

Dr. Chao Gu
Dr. Zhiwei Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Electronics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antenna
  • rectifier
  • rectenna
  • power amplifier
  • metasurface
  • schottky diode
  • impedance matching
  • energy harvesting
  • wireless power transfer

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1582 KiB  
Article
Design, Analysis, and Verification of a Decoupled Dual-Output Wireless Power Transfer System with a Constant Voltage Output and a Constant Current Output
by Le Yu, You Lv, Xuebin Zhou, Guangyi Yang, Changsong Cai and Lin Yang
Electronics 2025, 14(9), 1706; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14091706 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 174
Abstract
Wireless power transfer (WPT) is extensively utilized because of its isolation and convenience. However, WPT systems require different types of outputs in specific applications. The existing dual-receiving WPT system has disadvantages such as redundant compensation components, unnecessary cross-coupling interference, complex control circuits, and [...] Read more.
Wireless power transfer (WPT) is extensively utilized because of its isolation and convenience. However, WPT systems require different types of outputs in specific applications. The existing dual-receiving WPT system has disadvantages such as redundant compensation components, unnecessary cross-coupling interference, complex control circuits, and low space utilization. To address these shortcomings, this paper proposes a dual-output WPT system capable of delivering both constant voltage (CV) and constant current (CC) outputs simultaneously. The WPT system utilizes a special coil structure design, in which the DD coil is used as the transmitter coil and the first receiver coil, and the Q coil is used as the relay coil and the second receiver coil. In addition, the DD coil and the Q coil can achieve natural decoupling under alignment conditions. Consequently, the impact of the unnecessary cross-coupling within the system can be eradicated. Initially, the natural decoupling properties of the magnetic coupler are analyzed from a theoretical perspective. Subsequently, a mathematical model for the proposed WPT system is constructed. Through theoretical deductions, it is demonstrated that under the zero-phase-angle (ZPA) conditions, the system is capable of attaining a CC output at the first receiving side and a CV output at the second receiving side. Finally, a verification experimental prototype with a constant voltage output of 72 V and a constant current output of 2.5 A was built. The experimental results verified the accuracy of the previous theoretical analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in RF Rectifying Technology for EM Energy Harvesting and Wireless Power Transfer)
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23 pages, 11043 KiB  
Article
Research on Stator Sections Switching Process of High-Thrust Linear Motors
by Xing Liu, Jie Li, Lianchun Wang, Minghe Qu, Danfeng Zhou and Qiang Chen
Electronics 2024, 13(21), 4272; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13214272 - 31 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 717
Abstract
The high-thrust linear motor used for the electromagnetic launch is switched by switches composed of anti-shunt thyristors. During the switching process, different current path states will appear, which will lead to changes in motor parameters and current fluctuation. Focusing on the air-core synchronous [...] Read more.
The high-thrust linear motor used for the electromagnetic launch is switched by switches composed of anti-shunt thyristors. During the switching process, different current path states will appear, which will lead to changes in motor parameters and current fluctuation. Focusing on the air-core synchronous linear motor with parallel and series power supply, this paper analyzes the change in current path caused by the change in the trigger signal of anti-parallel thyristors in the process of sectionalized stator switching. The motor circuit model of the switching process is derived. A new sectionalized stators switching method is proposed to realize the smooth switching of the sectionalized stators linear motor. Finally, the correctness of the analysis and modeling is verified by simulation, and the effectiveness of the sectionalized stators switching method is tested by using the test prototype. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in RF Rectifying Technology for EM Energy Harvesting and Wireless Power Transfer)
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23 pages, 714 KiB  
Article
Joint Design of Transmit Waveform and Altitude for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Enabled Integrated Sensing and Wireless Power Transfer Systems
by Jinho Kang
Electronics 2024, 13(21), 4237; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13214237 - 29 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 950
Abstract
Recently, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-enabled wireless power transfer (WPT) has received great attention as a promising technology for providing stable power to energy-constrained devices by navigating three-dimensional (3D) space, particularly in challenging environments such as maritime networks and smart cities. Additionally, UAV-enabled radar [...] Read more.
Recently, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-enabled wireless power transfer (WPT) has received great attention as a promising technology for providing stable power to energy-constrained devices by navigating three-dimensional (3D) space, particularly in challenging environments such as maritime networks and smart cities. Additionally, UAV-enabled radar sensing has gained significant attention as a key technology for future 6G networks, as it enables high-accuracy sensing for various applications, such as target detection and tracking, surveillance, and environmental monitoring, as well as autonomous UAV operation. In this regard, we investigated UAV-enabled integrated sensing and wireless power transfer (ISWPT) systems that combine radar sensing and WPT operations on a unified hardware platform, sharing the same spectrum of resources. In order to accurately sense multiple targets and efficiently transfer power to multiple devices at the same time, we propose a method for jointly designing the transmit waveform and UAV altitude, taking into account the fundamental trade-off between radar sensing performance with the desired beam pattern and WPT performance with the desired harvested power of the devices. We first developed an effective method to obtain the optimal waveform and altitude by solving a challenging non-convex optimization problem. Based on this, we developed another efficient, low-complexity method by exploring a novel transmit waveform and optimizing its parameters to reduce computational complexity and thereby lower power consumption in UAVs. The numerical results verify that the proposed method significantly improves both radar sensing and WPT performance, as well as substantially reduces computational complexity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in RF Rectifying Technology for EM Energy Harvesting and Wireless Power Transfer)
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13 pages, 5129 KiB  
Article
Fully Integrated Miniaturized Wireless Power Transfer Rectenna for Medical Applications Tested inside Biological Tissues
by Miguel Fernandez-Munoz, Mohamed Missous, Mohammadreza Sadeghi, Pablo Luis Lopez-Espi, Rocio Sanchez-Montero, Juan Antonio Martinez-Rojas and Efren Diez-Jimenez
Electronics 2024, 13(16), 3159; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13163159 - 10 Aug 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1563
Abstract
This work presents the results of the characterization of two 1 × 5 mm2 miniaturized rectennas developed for medical applications. They have been designed for relatively high voltage and high-power applications, given the size of the rectennas. Both rectennas were tested in [...] Read more.
This work presents the results of the characterization of two 1 × 5 mm2 miniaturized rectennas developed for medical applications. They have been designed for relatively high voltage and high-power applications, given the size of the rectennas. Both rectennas were tested in open-air conditions and surrounded by pork fat and muscle tissues, whose properties are similar to those of the human body. The resonant frequencies of the rectennas were found, and the incident electric field on the rectennas tests was increased. The first chip showed a maximum output voltage of 5.29 V and a maximum output power of 0.056 mW, at 1.446 GHz, under an incident field on the rectenna of 340 V/m, and the second chip, 4.62 V and 4.27 mW, at 1.175 GHz, under 535 V/m. The second rectenna can provide an output power greater than 5 mW. The rectennas presented in this article are beyond the state of the art, as they can deliver about three times more power and voltage than those of similar dimensions reported in the literature. Based on the test results, the efficiency of the rectennas was analyzed at different locations of the human body, considering different thicknesses of tissues with high and low water content. Finally, potential applications are described in which the rectennas could power implantable medical devices or microsurgery tools, for example, pulmonary artery pressure monitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in RF Rectifying Technology for EM Energy Harvesting and Wireless Power Transfer)
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12 pages, 4790 KiB  
Article
A 2.0–3.0 GHz GaN HEMT-Based High-Efficiency Rectifier Using Class-EFJ Operating Mode
by Chenlu Wang, Junyi Luo, Zhiwei Zhang, Chao Gu, Haipeng Zhu and Luyu Zhang
Electronics 2024, 13(14), 2786; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13142786 - 16 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 966
Abstract
In this paper, a CGH40010F GaN-based wideband RF rectifier with high rectification efficiency is presented. A novel continuous class-EFJ-mode rectifier is constructed by combining a continuous class-J-mode rectifier and class-EF-mode rectifier under specific impedance conditions. This novel continuous class-EFJ-mode rectifier has high rectification [...] Read more.
In this paper, a CGH40010F GaN-based wideband RF rectifier with high rectification efficiency is presented. A novel continuous class-EFJ-mode rectifier is constructed by combining a continuous class-J-mode rectifier and class-EF-mode rectifier under specific impedance conditions. This novel continuous class-EFJ-mode rectifier has high rectification efficiency and wide bandwidth at the same time. For validation, a wideband high-efficiency class-EFJ-mode rectifier functioning within the 2.0–3.0 GHz range is designed, fabricated, and measured. The measurements indicate that, with an input power of 40 dBm and a resistance of 72 Ω on the dc load, the implemented rectifier sustains a rectification efficiency exceeding 60% across its entire operational frequency band. Meanwhile, the dimensions of the circuits are only 3 cm × 3.1 cm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in RF Rectifying Technology for EM Energy Harvesting and Wireless Power Transfer)
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12 pages, 2028 KiB  
Article
A High-Efficiency, Ultrawide-Dynamic-Range Radio Frequency Energy Harvester Using Adaptive Reconfigurable Technique
by Qian Lian and Niansong Mei
Electronics 2024, 13(7), 1193; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13071193 - 25 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1512
Abstract
This paper presents a novel adaptive reconfigurable rectifier architecture for radio frequency energy harvesting (RFEH); in addition, a new metric for high-efficiency dynamic range (DR) is proposed. The presented rectifier architecture is based on a double-sided diode-feedback cross-coupled differential-drive rectifier (CCDR) structure incorporating [...] Read more.
This paper presents a novel adaptive reconfigurable rectifier architecture for radio frequency energy harvesting (RFEH); in addition, a new metric for high-efficiency dynamic range (DR) is proposed. The presented rectifier architecture is based on a double-sided diode-feedback cross-coupled differential-drive rectifier (CCDR) structure incorporating self-body bias for reconfigurable operation. An adaptive structure based on a Schmitt trigger is proposed to adaptively switch the rectifier connection without auxiliary voltage (Vaux), with two rectifier stages in parallel at low power and in series at high power. The system is simulated at a 180 nm CMOS process and the results show more than 17 dB DR at 900 MHz, with efficiency higher than 50% at a 100 kΩ load. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in RF Rectifying Technology for EM Energy Harvesting and Wireless Power Transfer)
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