Wide-dynamic-range high-conversion-efficiency rectifier circuit for 2.48 GHz RF energy harvesting

Abstract A pint-sized cross-coupled differential-driven rectifier (CCDDR) circuit with wide power dynamic range (PDR), and high power conversion efficiency (PCE) for 2.48 GHz LS-band RF energy harvesting is proposed. By building two novel functional modules of dynamic body-biasing assist (DBBA) and diode feedback biasing compensation (DFBC) into core rectifier, reverse leakage current while variation on gate potential and threshold voltage of core rectifier transistors can be effectively contained. Using 180 nm/1.8V RF-CMOS technology, the circuit design and layout are implemented. Followed by simulation-based performance comparison, the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed rectifier achieves a higher PCE of 77.8% at a lower input power of − 12.5 dBm -12.5\hspace{0.33em}{\rm{dBm}} in 2.48 GHz frequency band. Additionally, benefiting from wider input PDR of 26 dB compared with other design cases, a single-stage topology rectifier can sufficiently yield a stable output supply voltage of high to 642.46 mV with the sensitivity at 1 V of − 12 dBm -12\hspace{0.33em}{\rm{dBm}} , while the FoM value can be reached up to 54.52 dB, which can provide strong support for realizing source-free near-zero-energy-consumption IoT communication systems.