Low-cost compact Wi-Fi energy harvesting rectifier using semi-lumped elements

Abstract The increasing demand for low-power wireless devices has driven innovation in energy harvesting technologies, with Wi-Fi signals emerging as a viable source of ambient energy. This paper presents a novel Wi-Fi energy harvesting rectifier designed to maximize energy conversion efficiency while maintaining simplicity, compactness, and affordability. Utilizing a semi-lumped matching network simulated on a low-cost FR4 substrate, our design achieves a notable efficiency of 47% at 0 dBm and 55% at 8 dBm within a compact footprint of 263 mm 2 . Compared to existing works, which often employ complex and expensive substrates like Rogers RT/duroid 5880, our approach offers a practical balance of performance, size, and cost, making it suitable for widespread applications. This study uniquely contributes to the field by demonstrating high efficiency using a semi-lumped rectifier on a high-loss, low-cost substrate, offering a promising solution for cost-effective Wi-Fi energy harvesting. The outcomes of this work will be compared and discussed against existing designs to highlight its advantages and potential applications.