Quasi-isotropic RF energy harvester for autonomous long distance IoT operations

A UHF energy harvesting unit, also comprising UWB communication function, is integrated in a low-profile, compact, unique device. The optimized collocation of two couples of dual linearly-polarized dipoles provides all-polarization receiving capability and a quasi-isotropic radiation, momentous features for RF energy harvesting applications. Activation distance of a commercial ultra-low power management unit is enhanced with respect to a corresponding single-rectenna case. The EM-based non-linear simulation of the entire system has shown its ability to rectify RF power incident from any direction, with activation distances always higher than 14.7 meters for any direction of arrival and up to 26 meters in the best-case condition. Implementation of the presented RF harvester outperforms the corresponding single-dipole harvester realization in a real indoor scenario.