Study and design of rectennas with integrated solar cells

• Grant number: 25/01301-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Telecommunications
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Eduardo Capovilla
• Grantee: Lucas Alves Margonato
• Host Institution: Centro de Engenharia, Modelagem e Ciências Sociais Aplicadas (CECS). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Santo André , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Currently, several systems for powering low-power wireless devices have been studied, such as the use of energy by photovoltaic cells and Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvesting. However, both still have technical limitations, which make it necessary, depending on the application, to develop a hybrid energy system that allows the optimized use of these two sources simultaneously.In this context, the present proposal for IC aims to develop technical skills in the area of antennas and microwaves, through the study and design of hybrid RF and solar energy harvesting systems. Therefore, the goal of this IC will be the development of rectennas, which consist of an antenna together with an RF rectifier, with integrated solar cells.Two planar antenna topologies (patch and quasi-Yagi) will be designed a priori, in integration with commercial silicon solar cells and perovskite solar cells, thus aiming to validate this hybrid system and maximize its performance. The design and development of the rectennas will be carried out with the Keysight ADS (Advanced Design System) and Ansys HFSS (High Frequency Simulation Software) software. Subsequently, prototypes of the different rectennas will be manufactured and properly characterized.