A Communicating Antenna Array with a Dual-Energy Harvesting Functionality [Wireless Corner]

This article discusses the design and dual functionality of two antenna arrays that operate from 1.8 to 2.4 GHz. Each antenna array is composed of two elements and proposed for either communication or radio-frequency (RF) energy harvesting. The antenna arrays are integrated vertically on top of a solar panel. Copper-based and transparent inverted-F antennas constitute the elements of both arrays. The transparent array has the same dimensions and topology as the copperbased one. Its purpose is to verify that the integration of the copper-based inverted-F antenna arrays on top of the solar panel does not majorly impact the solar panel's efficiency. A rectifying circuit that is positioned at the output of both arrays is also designed and tested. The rectifying circuit converts the collected RF energy into dc power that can supplement the solar panel's supply during the absence of solar energy. The measured performance results of the fabricated system, which is composed of the two array antennas in addition to the rectifying circuit, show good agreement with the simulated data.