Hybrid Power Combining Rectenna Array for Wide Spatial Coverage of Self-Powered IoT Devices

This article presents a hybrid power-combining rectifying antenna array designed to broaden the spatial coverage of self-powered Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The receiver's coverage, which receives power from microwave power transmission (MPT), could restrict the placement of IoT devices. To address this, we propose a new hybrid power combining method. This method simultaneously integrates both RF and dc power combining techniques, allowing for efficient power reception without being constrained by the direction of RF signal reception. The proposed method includes the design and fabrication of a dual-port antenna array, a reconfigurable passive beamforming network, and a rectifier. Theoretical analysis, simulations, and experimental validations confirm the enhanced performance of the proposed method over traditional RF and dc power combining techniques. Our hybrid approach demonstrates wider spatial coverage, higher received power, and improved efficiency, making it a robust and flexible power supply solution for IoT devices.