Abstract :
A simple rectenna energy harvester could allow wireless health monitoring sensors on broadcast satellites by powering them using waste energy from the satellite´s own signals. The microwave antennas of broadcasting satellites have inherent spill-over losses, where a lot of electromagnetic power is actually wasted - diffused on the body of the satellite itself. This high frequency EM energy, available as long as the data links are functional, is a potential power source for on-board systems.
