Electromagnetic modeling of rectenna based on the hybrid MoM–GEC combined to the harmonic balance method for wireless power transmission

ABSTRACT

Rectennas are key contributors in wireless power transmission. Such prominent technology requires intensive works to gain a better performance thus a reliable energy source. In this paper, we present an electromagnetic model of rectenna using nonlinear resolution approach. This was achieved by a hybrid MoM-GEC (the Moments method combined to the generalized equivalent circuit) and the Harmonic balance method. The structure presenting the rectenna was given in a network form making it a flexible and reconfigurable model. The proposed method was demonstrated using a patch antenna and a Schottky diode as a rectifier circuit. The given current density and field distributions validated using HFSS software proves the accuracy of the obtained solutions. Moreover, a study of the RF-DC conversion efficiency is presented to discuss the performance of the rectenna. Finally, results show that this is a simple but effective technique to study the rectifying antenna for different topologies and technologies.

KEYWORDS:

• Electromagnetic modeling
• harmonic balance method
• MoM–GEC
• rectenna

ORCID

S. Smirani http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4968-2631

Additional information

Notes on contributors

S. Smirani

Soulayma Smirani obtained the Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering and the Master degree in Electronics and Advanced Technologies from the Higher National School of Engineering of Tunis (ENSIT). Currently, she is a PhD student in Telecommunications at the National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT). Her research interest is in the electromagnetic modeling of rectenna for energy harvesting for several applications and in different frequency ranges.

M. Aidi

Mourad Aidi received the Master degree in Applied Physics from the Higher School of Sciences and Techniques of Tunis and the MSc degree in Energetic Physics from the National Institute of Applied Science and Technology (INSAT). In 2011, he received the PhD degree in Telecommunications from the National Engineering School of Tunis. His research interest is in the electromagnetic modeling of the nanodevices based on carbon nanotubes and graphene layers for telecommunication applications.

S. Mili

Sonia Mili received her PhD degree in Telecommunications from the National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT) in 2011. Currently, she is an assistant teacher in the Higher Institute of Computer Science and Communication Technologies. Her research interest is in the modeling of active fractal structures using multi-scale approaches.

T. Aguili

Taoufik Aguili is currently a Professor in the National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT), Tunis El Manar University. He is also the director of Communications Systems Laboratory (Syscom) and he is responsible for research and received the Master degree in the Communications and Information’s Technology Department. His research interests include modeling of microwave systems and nanodevices, numerical methods in electromagnetics, electromagnetic wave phenomena in layered media, integrated transmission lines, waveguides and antennas, and leaky-wave phenomena.