Design and Experimental Evaluation of a 2.4 GHz Circular Microstrip Patch Rectenna with a Three-Stage Voltage Doubler for RF Energy Harvesting

Ester Novi  Andriani; Gurum Ahmad Pauzi; Junaidi; Sri Wahyu Suciyati

doi:10.23960/jemit.201

Authors

Ester Novi Andriani Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Lampung, Bandar Lampung 35145
Gurum Ahmad Pauzi Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Lampung, Bandar Lampung 35145
Junaidi Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Lampung, Bandar Lampung 35145
Sri Wahyu Suciyati Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Lampung, Bandar Lampung 35145

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23960/jemit.201

Keywords:

Radio Frequency, Energy Harvesting, Antenna, Voltage Doubler, Rectenna

Abstract

This study presents the design and experimental evaluation of a 2.4 GHz rectenna for radio-frequency (RF) energy harvesting. The system integrates a circular microstrip patch antenna fabricated on an FR-4 epoxy substrate with a three-stage voltage-doubler rectifier employing BAT17 Schottky diodes. Antenna parameters were optimized using ANSYS HFSS, and the selected configuration comprised an 18 mm patch radius, 24 mm feedline length, and 5 mm feedline width. The simulated antenna exhibited a VSWR of 12.7312 and a return loss of -4.0849 dB. The fabricated rectenna was experimentally tested using a Wi-Fi source during morning, afternoon, and evening periods. The maximum measured DC output voltages were 74.69, 56.77, and 80.78 mV, respectively, with the highest output obtained during the evening measurement. The results demonstrate the feasibility of harvesting RF energy from Wi-Fi signals using the proposed rectenna. However, the relatively high VSWR indicates that further impedance-matching optimization is required to improve RF power transfer and overall energy-harvesting performance.

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