Power-Efficient Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer (SWIPT) for Batteryless IoT Devices Using a Co-Designed Rectifying Metantenna

A novel co-designing strategy is presented for an integrated rectifying metantenna, which combines rectification, absorption and electromagnetic signal reception functionalities for simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT). The metasurface is constructed using periodic patch units arranged in front of a compact microstrip antenna. This arrangement effectively stimulates transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) surface waves, which ensures not only high gain but also optimal antenna matching. Furthermore, the metasurface incorporates rectifier diodes distributed partially, significantly enhancing energy conversion efficiency. The proposed rectifying metantenna operates at 5.8 GHz (an ISM band) and achieves a maximum energy conversion efficiency of 54.6% when subjected to an input power of 0 dBm. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy when the metantenna is integrated into devices for data communication. The proposed rectifying metantenna boasts a range of merits including high integration and multifunctionality. These inherent attributes position it as a promising candidate for advanced IoT wireless communication systems, facilitating the generation of rectified DC power while receiving RF signals without the need for power splitter and time-switching used in conventional SWIPT systems.