The impact of waveform on the efficiency of RF to DC conversion using prefabricated energy harvesting device

This paper is dedicated to the investigation of the influence of different waveforms on the efficiency of radio frequency (RF) to direct current (DC) conversion in wireless power transfer (WPT) systems. Single-tone, multi-tone, random and chaotic signals are used and compared as waveforms for wireless power transfer. The influence of peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) and average input power of the waveform on the efficiency of RF-to-DC conversion is measured in laboratory conditions and studied. A commercially available RF energy harvesting device - Powercast P2110B is used as RF-to-DC conversion circuitry.