Optimizing RF energy transport: Channel modelling and transmit antenna and rectenna design

For powering wireless sensors in buildings rechargeable batteries may be used, being charged remotely by dedicated RF sources. RF energy transport suffers from path loss and therefore the RF power available on a rectenna will be very low. As a consequence, the RF-to-DC conversion efficiency will also be very low. By optimizing not only the subsystems of a rectenna but also taking the propagation channel into account and using this information to adapt the transmit antenna radiation pattern, the RF energy transport efficiency will be improved.