Prototype implementation of ambient RF energy harvesting wireless sensor networks

Abstract

Energy harvesting is a key technique that can be used to overcome the barriers that prevent the real world deployment of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In particular, solar energy harvesting has been commonly used to overcome this barrier. However, it should be noted that WSNs operating on solar power suffer form energy shortage during nighttimes. Therefore, to solve this problem, we exploit the use of TV broadcasts airwaves as energy sources to power wireless sensor nodes. We measured the output of a rectenna continuously for 7 days; from the results of this measurement, we showed that Radio Frequency (RF) energy can always be harvested. We developed an RF energy harvesting WSN prototype to show the effectiveness of RF energy harvesting for the usage of a WSN. We also proposed a duty cycle determination method for our system, and verified the validity of this method by implementing our system. This RF energy harvesting method is effective in a long period measurement application that do not require high power consumption.