A 927 MHz solar powered active antenna oscillator beacon signal generator

This work presents the design and implementation of a 927 MHz radio frequency beacon in coplanar waveguide technology, which scavenges through solar energy the power necessary for operation. Starting from a folded-slot antenna topology, a reflection-type oscillator is designed by combining full-wave and nonlinear analyses. Properly placed solar cells and a regulator are used to bias the device by scavenging solar energy from the environment. Prototypes have been implemented and measured. This low cost implementation could be useful in low-power wireless applications.