In this paper, a long-range dual-band rectenna for harvesting ambient radio frequency (RF) energy from GSM/900 and GSM/1800 is presented. Theoretical analysis of the proposed dual-band impedance matching network (IMN) is conducted using a modified Π-section matching network (MN). The RF-rectifier is integrated with a dual-band inverted-F monopole antenna. The rectenna circuit complexity is minimized by introducing a dual-band IMN, which plays a significant role in improving the harvester RF-to-dc power conversion efficiency (PCE). Measurement results of the proposed design achieved a peak RF-to-dc PCE of 12.93% and 8.0% for an input power of -30 dBm at 0.9 GHz, and 1.8 GHz, respectively. The RF harvester ambiance measurement attained an output dc voltage of 0.374 V. The circuit generates 0.747 V using a low-powered bq25504-674 evaluation module (EVM). Thus, adequate energy management of the proposed rectenna can be used to power many low-powered devices from the harvested ambient RF energy.INDEX TERMS RF energy harvesting (RFEH); impedance matching network (IMN); power conversion efficiency (PCE); rectenna.

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The RFEH design challenges can be broadly classified into overall radio frequency direct current (RF-to-DC) power conversion efficiency (PCE), form factor, operational bandwidth (BW), and compactness. A detailed overview of the essential components of an RFEH system is presented in this paper. Various design approaches have been proposed for the realization of compact RFEH circuits that contribute immensely to mm-wave rectenna design. Effective mechanisms for configuring the rectenna modules based on the recommended spectrums for the RFEH system were also outlined. This study featured a conceptual viewpoint on design tradeoffs, which were accompanied by profound EH solutions perspectives for wireless power communications. The work covers some challenges attributed to 5G EH in mm-wave rectenna: from a controlled source of communication signals to distributed ambient EH and system level design. Conversely, the primary targets of this work are to: (I) examine a wide range of ambient RF sources and their performance with various antennae and RF-rectifier layouts; (II) propose unique rectenna design techniques suitable for current trends in wireless technology; (III) explore numerous approaches for enhancing the rectenna or RF-rectifier efficiency in a low-power ambient environment; and (IV) present the findings of a comprehensive review of the exemplary research that has been investigated. These are aimed toward addressing the autonomous system’s energy challenges. Therefore, with the careful management of the reported designs, the rectenna systems described in this study would influence the upcoming advancement of the low-power RFEH module.