A rectenna with mixing functionality for simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT)

Abstract

This paper presents a rectenna with mixing functionality, specifically designed for simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) systems. The antenna uses an electric dipole structure, which not only features a low profile but also provides high gain, significantly enhancing signal reception efficiency in the SWIPT receiver architecture. Simultaneously, the rectifier integrates a mixing function, allowing simultaneous processing of information and energy signals within the receiver, thus achieving highly efficient resource utilization. Compared with traditional architectures, this design greatly increases the integration of SWIPT receivers, reducing both manufacturing cost and design complexity, which aligns well with the growing demands of compact, high-efficiency modern wireless communication systems. To validate the effectiveness of this design, this paper conducts detailed design, fabrication, and testing of the antenna and integrated rectifying-mixer (IRM) circuit and sets up a practical SWIPT system for experimental verification. The results show that this rectenna can effectively meet the requirements of SWIPT applications under various operating conditions, achieving simultaneous reception of information and energy while demonstrating excellent transmission efficiency and interference resistance. These results confirm the high practicality and potential for widespread application of the proposed rectenna in SWIPT systems.