Transmission line resistance compression networks for microwave rectifiers

This work presents a development of multi-way transmission-line resistance compression networks (TLRCNs) and their application to rf-to-dc conversion. We derive analytical expressions for the behavior of TLRCNs, and describe two design methodologies applicable to both single- and multi-stage implementations. A 2.45-GHz 4-way TLRCN network is implemented and applied to create a resistance-compressed rectifier system that has narrow-range resistive input characteristics over a 10-dB power range. It is demonstrated to improve the impedance match to mostly-resistive but variable input impedance class-E rectifiers over a 10-dB power range. The resulting TLRCN plus rectifier system has >50% rf-to-dc conversion efficiency over a >10-dB input power range at 2.45 GHz (peak efficiency 70%), and SWR <;1.1 over a 7.7-dB range.