Energy Harvesting Antennas for Sustainable IoT Solutions

Abstract

Energy harvesting antennas represent a pivotal technology for enabling sustainable solutions in the Internet of Things (IoT). By harnessing ambient energy sources such as radio frequency (RF) waves, these antennas provide a pathway toward self-sustaining IoT devices with reduced reliance on traditional batteries. Existing IoT systems heavily depend on battery-powered devices, which face challenges such as limited energy capacity, frequent maintenance, and environmental concerns from battery disposal. These issues hinder the scalability and longevity of IoT networks, especially in remote or hard-to-access locations. The proposed framework leverages IoT-based energy harvesting [IoT-EH] using highly efficient antennas that collect RF energy from ambient sources like cellular networks, WiFi signals, and broadcast systems. This harvested energy powers low-energy IoT devices, ensuring uninterrupted operation. The framework integrates energy harvesting antennas with energy management systems to optimize power allocation and usage dynamically. The proposed method facilitates sustainable IoT deployments by eliminating the need for frequent battery replacements and minimizing environmental impact. It is particularly beneficial in applications such as smart agriculture, environmental monitoring, and industrial automation, where continuous device operation and minimal maintenance are critical. The findings demonstrate that the proposed approach significantly extends the device lifecycle, reduces maintenance costs, and enhances system reliability. Moreover, experimental results reveal an efficient conversion of ambient RF energy, ensuring that IoT devices achieve energy autonomy. This method presents a scalable and eco-friendly solution to the growing energy demands of IoT ecosystems.