Substantiating the criteria for selecting rectifier diodes for low-power rectenna energy harvesting systems

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2026.355841

Keywords:

rectenna, RF energy harvesting, Schottky diode, impedance matching, conversion efficiency

Abstract

The process of rectifying electromagnetic field energy in micropower rectennas based on Schottky diodes has been investigated in this study. One of the challenges in designing such rectennas is the lack of a consistent system of quantitative criteria for selecting a rectifier diode capable of providing high conversion efficiency at ultra-low input power levels while accounting for its intrinsic and parasitic parameters. The practical relevance of this task is predetermined by the need to autonomously power Internet of Things sensors in weak electromagnetic fields.

Decomposition of loss mechanisms was performed, which made it possible to distinguish the fundamental limitations caused by the current-voltage characteristic from the frequency-dependent and parasitic diode parameters. The study was carried out using the harmonic balance method in AWR Design Environment.

The calculations showed that, in the microwatt regime, higher conversion efficiency is achieved for diodes with increased saturation current due to the dominant role of the junction threshold properties. For low-barrier structures, an increase in temperature above 50°C is accompanied by a sharp rise in reverse leakage currents, which leads to a decrease in efficiency. As the frequency increases, the junction barrier capacitance and the package parasitics increasingly limit the achievable efficiency, especially at 2.45 and 5.8 GHz.

Comparative modeling of commercial Schottky diodes revealed that, under the micropower regime, preference should be given to low-barrier structures with minimized parasitic reactances, whereas at higher input power levels the advantage may shift to structures with a medium barrier height.

Underlying the practical value of this study is the compilation of recommendations for the justified selection of components when designing battery-free power supply systems for Internet of Things sensors operating in weak electromagnetic fields.

Author Biographies

Vasyl Alieksieiev, Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics

PhD Student

Department of Computer Radio Engineering and Technical Information Security Systems

Dmytro Hretskykh, Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics

Doctor of Technical Sciences

Department of Computer Radio Engineering and Technical Information Security Systems

Dmytro Havva, Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics

PhD

Department of Computer Radio Engineering and Technical Information Security Systems

Mikhail Nesterenko, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University

Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department of Physics of Ultra High Frequencies

Olena Ivanova, Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics

PhD

Department of Computer Radio Engineering and Technical Information Security Systems

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Substantiating the criteria for selecting rectifier diodes for low-power rectenna energy harvesting systems

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Published

2026-04-29

How to Cite

Alieksieiev, V., Hretskykh, D., Havva, D., Nesterenko, M., & Ivanova, O. (2026). Substantiating the criteria for selecting rectifier diodes for low-power rectenna energy harvesting systems. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 2(8 (140), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2026.355841

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 8 (140) (2026): Energy-saving technologies and equipment

Section

Energy-saving technologies and equipment

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Copyright (c) 2026 Vasyl Alieksieiev, Dmytro Hretskykh, Dmytro Havva, Mikhail Nesterenko, Olena Ivanova

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