Differential microstrip patch rectenna featuring consistent high gain over a wide operating bandwidth

Abstract

This paper presents three configurations of broadband differentially fed microstrip antenna for GSM1800, 1900 and 2100 MHz. The antennas are designed and fabricated using two different substrates for bottom and upper layer. The three antennas designed and tested have gain of 9.88, 9.66, and 11.14 dBi, respectively, at the center frequency. The proposed antennas also find its implementation in areas where, differential inputs/outputs wireless communication circuits are needed. Later, a differentially driven RF power harvesting system with maximum efficiency of 71%, 67% and 78% for a load of 520 Ω is also designed and developed.

Novel input impedance analysis of differential feed microstrip antennas using the bi‐characteristic‐impedance transmission line (BCITL) model

“…To enhance the performance of microstrip antennas, the differential probe feeding technique was proposed. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Note that the definitions of single-ended and differential antennas are based on feeding sources. 9,10 A single-ended antenna is an antenna fed with a single-ended signal source.…”

“…The impedances of differential antennas can be calculated systematically in terms of the two-port network parameters. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] In the studies by Tu and colleagues, 12,13 the analysis of the impedance relationship of a rectangular patch antenna with a differential feed is provided. The impedance of differential antenna for both differential and common modes can be characterized by measuring associated scattering parameters.…”

“…Since practical antennas are low loss, the BCITL can be effectively employed to model low-loss antennas to understand physical mechanisms better. It will be shown that the novel BCITL model can simplify impedance relationships for differential microstrip antennas, compared to the previously published methods based on the two-port network parameters, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] with accurate results and better physical insights. To validate the proposed model, simulation, and measurement results are compared.…”

“…Normally, microstrip antennas have a symmetrical structure with single‐ended signal operation. To enhance the performance of microstrip antennas, the differential probe feeding technique was proposed 2–8 . Note that the definitions of single‐ended and differential antennas are based on feeding sources 9,10 .…”

A Review of Miniaturized Advanced IC Rectenna for Energy Harvesting Applications

“…In [29][30] [31], arrays of antennas are employed to enhance the antenna's gain and hence its efficiency. Also, a buck-boost converter was presented by Yadav and Ray in 2021 to improve efficiency and output voltage [32]. Several techniques are used to improve the compact size and PCE such as the T-shape, U-shape slots, and circular shape slots that proposed by Chindhi in 2022 [33] and Xu in [34].…”