A Patch Antenna Designed for Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting Within the Wireless Fidelity Six Extended Frequency Band

The growing demand for wireless communication necessitates effective Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvesting solutions, particularly within the Wi-Fi 6E spectrum (5.925-7.125 GHz). This paper introduces the design and evaluation of a compact slotted patch antenna specifically optimized for RF energy harvesting within this frequency range. The goal is to create a high-performance antenna that offers a wide bandwidth, making it suitable for integration into RF energy harvesting systems. The proposed antenna employs a slotted patch configuration paired with a partial ground plane, fabricated on an FR-4 substrate with dimensions of 9.18 × 9.18 × 1.6 mm³. This substrate possesses a dielectric constant of 4.3, a thickness of 1.6 mm, and a tangent loss of 0.025. Feeding the antenna is accomplished through a 50-Ohm microstrip line. Simulations executed in Computer Simulation Technology Microwave Studio reveal exceptional performance metrics, including a reflection coefficient (S11) of -34.02739 dB and a high-power transfer efficiency, indicated by a Voltage Standing Wave Ratio of 1.040519. The antenna showcases a bandwidth of 2.22396 GHz, spanning from 4.948941 GHz to 7.172901 GHz, making it compatible with a variety of RF energy sources. Furthermore, the antenna efficiently captures RF energy, achieving a gain of 0.276 dBi and displaying nearly omnidirectional energy collection, as evidenced by a directivity of 2.98 dBi. It successfully converts RF energy into electrical energy with an efficiency rate of -2.702 dB (53.68%). These findings highlight the capability of this slotted patch antenna for use in energy harvesting applications within the Wi-Fi 6E frequency band. Its compact design, excellent impedance matching, and extensive bandwidth render it an ideal choice for various applications, including wireless sensor networks, wearable devices, and Internet of Things systems, all of which depend on energy harvesting for maintaining autonomous operation.