Design and simulation of dual-band RF energy harvesting antenna for WSNs

Radio frequency energy harvesting is attracting an increasing deal of attention in order to provide power to the electronic devices, including Wireless Sensor Networks. In this context, we focus on ambient radiofrequency energy available in the ambient environment. The receiving antenna is the main element of radiofrequency harvester, as it has to capture the RF energy from the radiating sources. Our work provides a new design of the receiving antenna to harness RF energy more effectively. Several simulations and optimizations are performed in order to maximize the antenna gain around the Wi-Fi bandwidth (2.45 GHz and 5 GHz). Variation of the return loss passes below-29 dB for 5 GHz frequencies and the radiation shape shows a quasi omnidirectional pattern in Wi-Fi bands. The dual band antenna proposed is very interesting for the RF harvesting energy system, meeting the desired criteria to maximize the ambient harvested RF energy. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.