Performance Evaluation of Greinacher Voltage Multiplier for RF Energy Harvesting at 2.4 GHz

Abstract

Abstract: Modern urban environments are saturated with radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted by various wireless communication systems. In addition to their primary communication function, these RF signals can serve as a potential source of renewable energy through ambient RF energy harvesting. Such systems are increasingly being explored for powering low-power electronic devices, including battery chargers, wireless sensor nodes, and portable electronic equipment. A 2.4 GHz frequency band RF energy harvester is proposed in this article. The circuit employs a Greinacher Voltage Multiplier with a low forward voltage drop Schottky diode HSMS2862_20000301 is utilized for circuit implementation. L-C impedance matching is used to enhance the Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting (RF-EH) circuit performance in terms of conversion efficiency and output voltage. The Greinacher Voltage Multiplier is simulated with the Advanced Design System (ADS). The proposed voltage multiplier circuits exhibit the performs optimally at load impedance of 50 kΩ. After simulation, results reveal the return loss is -11.456 dB and 2.375V of dc output voltage with 10 dB RF input power at 2.4 GHz frequency band.