Single- and Dual-Band RF Rectifiers with Extended Input Power Range Using Automatic Impedance Transforming

• Published in: IEEE transactions on microwave theory and techniques 2019-05, Vol.67 (5), p.1974-1984
• Main Authors: Huang, Mo, Lin, Yue Long, Ou, Jun-Hui, Zhang, Xiu yin, Lin, Quan Wei, Che, Wenquan, Xue, Quan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Design analysis; Dual band; Efficiency; Energy conversion efficiency; Impedance; Impedance matching; impedance transformation; Input impedance; Power dividers; Radio frequency; radio frequency (RF); rectifier; Rectifiers; wide input power range; Wireless communication; Wireless sensor networks
• ISSN: 0018-9480; 1557-9670
• DOI: 10.1109/TMTT.2019.2901443

This paper presents an automatic impedance transforming technique to extend the radio frequency rectifier input power range with high conversion efficiency. The rectifier employs two branches of subrectifier, each achieving impedance matching at high and low input power ranges. Then, the two branches are connected by a \lambda/4 T-junction power divider. With such configuration, the input impedance of the two subrectifiers are transformed automatically, allowing the impedance matching over a wide input power range. In this way, the injected power can be optimally delivered to the subrectifiers, achieving a high efficiency over this wide input power range. This scheme manages to eliminate the power detetor for branch selection and can be applied to both single- and dual-band rectifiers with a reduced design difficulty. For validation, a single-band rectifier working at 915 MHz and a dual-band rectifier at 915/2450 MHz are implemented. Design analysis on the single- and dual-band rectifiers is carried out. The measurement results show that 68% maximum efficiency is achieved for the single-band (915 MHz) rectifier, and the input power range for the efficiency >70% of the peak efficiency is from −5 to 31 dBm. Besides, the dual-band rectifier shows 66% and 58% peak efficiencies at 915 and 2450 MHz, respectively. The input power range is from −6 to 33 dBm for the efficiency >70% of its peak value at 915 MHz, while from 10 to 32 dBm at 2450 MHz. These indicate that the input power range with high efficiency is extended.