A Multi-source Broadband Radio Frequency Energy Harvester with Cascaded Diversity Combiner for Mobile Devices

Abstract

Radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting has been established as a viable alternative for powering mobile devices without increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission which is a threat to the environment. However, low RF power harvestable from various sources and low radio frequency-to-direct current (RF-DC) conversion efficiency has made it a very difficult task to harvest sufficient power to operate mobile devices such as smartphones. Considering the anticipated deluge of mobile devices and high data rates in the forth-coming fifth generation (5G) mobile networks, which will place a strict demand on the already dwindling global energy needs, this paper presents a RF energy harvester model aimed at harvesting sufficient power for the operation of smartphones and other mobile devices.