Smart RF energy harvesting communications: challenges and opportunities

RF energy harvesting (RFH) is emerging as a potential method for the proactive energy replenishment of next generation wireless networks. Unlike other harvesting techniques that depend on the environment, RFH can be predictable or on demand, and as such it is better suited for supporting quality-of-service-based applications. However, RFH efficiency is scarce due to low RF-to-DC conversion efficiency and receiver sensitivity. In this article, we identify the novel communication techniques that enable and enhance the usefulness of RFH. Backed by some experimental observations on RFH and the current state of the art, we discuss the challenges in the actual feasibility of RFH communications, new research directions, and the obstacles to their practical implementation.

[1]  Swades De,et al.  Experimental demonstration of multi-hop RF energy transfer , 2013, 2013 IEEE 24th Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor, and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC).

[2]  M. Soljačić,et al.  Wireless Power Transfer via Strongly Coupled Magnetic Resonances , 2007, Science.

[3]  Prusayon Nintanavongsa,et al.  RF-MAC: A Medium Access Control Protocol for Re-Chargeable Sensor Networks Powered by Wireless Energy Harvesting , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications.

[4]  Prusayon Nintanavongsa,et al.  Design Optimization and Implementation for RF Energy Harvesting Circuits , 2012, IEEE Journal on Emerging and Selected Topics in Circuits and Systems.

[5]  Swades De,et al.  Toward Uninterrupted Operation of Wireless Sensor Networks , 2012, Computer.

[6]  Rui Zhang,et al.  MIMO Broadcasting for Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer , 2013 .

[7]  Yong Liang Guan,et al.  Dynamic Resource Allocation for Multiple-Antenna Wireless Power Transfer , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing.

[8]  Raghuraman Mudumbai,et al.  A Scalable Architecture for Distributed Transmit Beamforming with Commodity Radios: Design and Proof of Concept , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications.

[9]  Jawar Singh,et al.  Realization of efficient RF energy harvesting circuits employing different matching technique , 2014, Fifteenth International Symposium on Quality Electronic Design.

[10]  Ioannis Krikidis,et al.  Simultaneous Information and Energy Transfer in Large-Scale Networks with/without Relaying , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Communications.

[11]  Regan Zane,et al.  Scalable RF Energy Harvesting , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[12]  Swades De,et al.  Charging Time Characterization for Wireless RF Energy Transfer , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems II: Express Briefs.

[13]  Swades De,et al.  Feasibility analysis on integrated recharging and data collection in pollution sensor networks , 2013, 2013 National Conference on Communications (NCC).

[14]  Naoki Shinohara,et al.  Wireless Power Transfer via Radiowaves , 2014 .