Analysis of Low-Power Rectifiers Based on Tunnel Diode for Energy Harvesting

Microwave rectifier design with tunnel diodes for energy harvesting are presented in this paper. Addressing the low efficiency of rectifiers based on common Schottky diodes in low power level, rectifiers with tunnel diodes show higher efficiency at low power levels. The I-V characteristic curve of a tunnel diode is different from that of a Schottky diode, marking the conventional rectifier model unsuitable for rectifiers based on tunnel diodes. To address this issue, this study conducted simulations and calculations using a new rectifier model based on the I-V characteristic curve of diodes, which was verified by the proposed rectifier.