2 x 2 Microstrip Patch Antenna Array for Improving the Power Conversion Efficiency of RF Energy Harvesting

RF energy harvesting harvests free and wasted energy from the surroundings and converts it into useful DC power. A microstrip patch antenna is widely used in RF energy harvesting because it provides high gain, large bandwidth, good impedance, polarization, and resonant frequency. In this paper, a design and analysis of a microstrip patch antenna array for RF energy harvesting is done. The antenna used is a 2 x 2 microstrip patch antenna array which is simulated using Advanced Design System 2022. Patch microstrip antennas are initially designed as single patches, and to create more complex array configurations. In this article, we will explore the transformation of a single patch into a 2 x 1 and a 2 x 2 patch microstrip array antenna. A single-patch microstrip antenna simulation reveals impressive performance metrics. When tested, the antenna demonstrates a directivity of 6.5 dBi, a gain of 3.5 dBi, and an efficiency of 52.34% at a frequency of 2.4 GHz.. When simulated, the 2 x 1 patch shows a directivity of 8.36 dBi, a gain of 5.77 dBi, and an efficiency of 55.18% at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. When a 2 x 2 patch is simulated shows a directivity of 11.27 dBi, gain of 8.72 dBi, and efficiency of 55.56% at the same frequency. Gain, directivity, and efficiency improvement are obtained in a 2 x 2 patch microstrip antenna. If such an antenna is used for RF energy harvesting higher power conversion efficiency of around 90% is achieved.