Multitone Excitation Analysis in RF Energy Harvesters—Considerations and Limitations

The effect of multitone excitation on the dc response of a voltage-doubler radio frequency energy harvester is analyzed. Theoretical analysis as well as frequency and time domain (TD) simulations were conducted to clarify the findings. Measurements were also carried out to validate the results. The measured, simulations and theoretical results are in good agreement. This paper focuses on evaluating the performance of a voltage doubler rectifier under multitone excitation (input power is the same in the single-tone and multitone case). Based on TD and harmonic balance simulations, theoretical and measurement analyses, it is evident that the application of multiple tones simultaneously within the matched frequency band and with the same average available power results in a lower average output dc power when compared with the single-tone case with the same input power. This trend is evident over a broad low input power range of -50 to -10 dBm (0.01-100 μW).