Evaluation of a low-cost inkjet printed slot antenna for energy harvesting applications

This paper deals with the functionality of an inkjet printed slot antenna for radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting application. The antenna is printed on a paper substrate using an off the shelf inkjet printer with cartridges containing nano particle silver ink. The RF performance of the printed antenna is assessed, and compared with another antenna fabricated using conventional etching methods. The reflection coefficient characteristics of the two antennas are very similar. A Power Cast radio frequency (RF) power transfer and energy harvesting system is employed for the final evaluation of the antennas. The inkjet printed antenna is able to harvest a good amount of RF power, though less than the equivalent copper etched antenna on Mylar substrate. The antennas operate at the 915MHz UHF ISM band. Finite-difference-time-domain simulations compare well with test results.