Compact and High Efficiency Rectifier Design based on Microstrip Coupled Transmission Line for Energy Harvesting

In this paper, a microwave rectifier based on a Schottky diode, a short-ended transmission line, and a microstrip coupled transmission line is proposed, resulting in a very simple and compact structure if compared with other similar designs. Furthermore, the proposed microwave rectifier is shown to be effective for achieving good impedance matching and, at the same time, it provides outstanding RF-to-DC conversion efficiency for input power as low as 1 mW. In particular the manufactured prototype exhibits a measured microwave-to-DC conversion efficiency of 62% which is a remarkable result if compared with state-of-the-art designs based on the same Avago HSMS285C or similar Schottky diodes.