RF Energy Harvester Antenna with Frequency Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RF energy harvesting technologies face challenges in efficiently collecting low-power ambient RF energy, particularly in remote devices, due to the need for high-energy RF transmitters and limited geographical applicability, and existing solutions are not viable for all environments.
Innovation Solution
An antenna apparatus with frequency filtering components, including notches and protrusions, is designed to filter specific frequency bands and convert ambient RF energy into electrical energy using a rectifying circuit and power management module, optimized for low-power operation across GSM900, GSM1800, 3G, and 4G bands, achieving efficient energy harvesting with high flexibility and covert operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high power RF sources are used to deliver RF power, then power delivery efficiency is improved, but infrastructure installation requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing ambient RF sources (mobile networks, broadcast towers, Wi-Fi infrastructure) that already provide services in the area. These existing infrastructure elements serve dual purposes: their primary communication function and secondary energy harvesting function. No dedicated high-power RF transmitters or new infrastructure installation is required.
2Device complexity
If ambient RF energy harvesting is used, then infrastructure requirement is reduced, but collected power level decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple RF frequency bands (GSM 900/1800, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, broadcast) into a single energy harvesting system. By merging energy from multiple ambient sources across different frequency bands, the system accumulates sufficient power levels despite individual sources being weak.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is designed to harvest energy from multiple frequency bands simultaneously, making it universally applicable in various environments. The same hardware structure can capture energy from mobile networks, broadcast towers, and Wi-Fi infrastructure depending on what ambient sources are available in the location.
3Productivity
If frequency filtering components are added to the antenna, then energy harvesting efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Frequency filtering components (notches and protrusions) are strategically placed at specific locations on the antenna structure where they most effectively filter unwanted frequencies. The filtering elements are localized to specific regions of the antenna rather than distributed uniformly, optimizing their filtering effectiveness while minimizing added complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient energy harvesting with efficiencies above 45% at input RF power levels below 3 µW, allowing for faster charging and operation in various locations with flexible spatial orientation, while minimizing detection and harmonic re-radiation, thus providing a viable alternative power source for remote devices.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus comprises one or more RF antenna components arranged to receive RF energy for producing electricity
Implementation Method 2
The one or more RF antenna components comprise a plurality of frequency filtering components, each frequency filtering component being arranged to filter a respective frequency band of the received RF energy
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is an antenna apparatus for use in harvesting ambient radio frequency, RF, energy. The apparatus comprises one or more RF antenna components arranged to receive RF energy for producing electricity. The one or more RF antenna components comprise a plurality of frequency filtering components, each frequency filtering component being arranged to filter a respective frequency band of the received RF energy. Also disclosed herein is an apparatus comprising a rectifying circuit arranged to convert a variable electrical signal received at an input from an associated antenna into a direct current electrical signal for supplying to an electrical energy storage unit, the antenna for use in harvesting ambient radio frequency, RF, energy. The apparatus also comprises a power management module having an input arranged to receive the direct current and control supply of the direct current to the electrical energy storage unit. The rectifying circuit comprises a plurality of transmission lines, wherein the input of the rectifying circuit and the input of the power management module are connected via the plurality of transmission lines. The power management module is arranged at least partially within a boundary defined by the plurality of transmission lines.