Self-Powered RIS With Wide-Range RF Energy Harvesting Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces consume non-negligible power for manipulating phase shifts, necessitating additional amplification, which is inefficient and potentially limiting their autonomy.
Innovation Solution
Integration of energy harvesting circuitry within reconfigurable intelligent surfaces to harness electromagnetic energy for powering components, using substrate integrated waveguides and wide range power rectifiers to minimize energy loss and enable self-sufficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If passive reflection is used, then amplification is avoided, but phase shift manipulation still consumes non-negligible power
Solution Approach 1:
The RIS harvests electromagnetic energy from incoming signals to power its own phase shift manipulation circuits, creating a self-sustaining system that eliminates the need for external power sources and reduces overall energy loss in the network
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously wasted or underutilized electromagnetic energy in the environment into useful power for phase shift manipulation, transforming energy that would otherwise be lost into a resource that enables active signal control
2Ease of operation
If active amplification is added to compensate for power consumption, then phase shift control is enhanced, but system complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the energy harvesting function with the phase shift manipulation function within the same RIS unit cells, integrating the power generation and signal control capabilities into a unified system that reduces overall complexity compared to separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The RIS elements perform multiple functions simultaneously: they reflect signals, harvest energy from incoming electromagnetic waves, and use the harvested energy to power phase shift manipulation, eliminating the need for dedicated amplification hardware
3Duration of action of stationary object
If external power sources are used, then continuous operation is ensured, but autonomy is reduced and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The RIS system harvests and stores energy from the electromagnetic environment to power its own operations autonomously, eliminating dependence on external power sources and achieving full operational independence while maintaining continuous functionality
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 allows the reconfigurable intelligent surface to partially or fully self-power, enhancing network energy efficiency by reducing reliance on external power sources and minimizing energy loss.
Implementation Method 1
respective second unit cells that include respective substrate integrated waveguides that capture respective portions of energy from the incoming signal
Implementation Method 2
RF power rectifier circuitry that converts the harvested RF electrical energy to direct current
Data Source
AI summary
The technology described herein is directed towards a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) that harvests RF energy from incoming signals. In one implementation, there are two types of RIS elements (unit cells), one type engineered to capture and wirelessly harvest energy from incoming electromagnetic waves, while the other type redirects the incoming signals towards a predetermined direction. The harvested energy is combined and converted to DC power using a harvesting circuit. In one implementation, a dual-mode energy harvesting circuit employs a higher power rectifier sub-circuit and a lower power rectifier subcircuit, with a multiport circulator and switch that self-actuates to use one or the other rectifier subcircuit based on the combined RF input power captured by the energy harvesting elements. A multiple battery approach is described, in which one battery is charging based on the converted DC power, another, previously-charged battery is powering the reconfigurable intelligent surface components.