access icon openaccess Nano-rectenna powered body-centric nano-networks in the terahertz band

A wireless body-centric nano-network consists of various nano-sized sensors with the purpose of healthcare application. One of the main challenges in the network is caused by the very limited power that can be stored in nano-batteries in comparison with the power required to drive the device for communications. Recently, novel rectifying antennas (rectennas) based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs), metal and graphene have been proposed. At the same time, research on simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) schemes has progressed apace. Body-centric nano-networks can overcome their energy bottleneck using these mechanisms. In this Letter, a nano-rectenna energy harvesting model is developed. The energy harvesting is realised by a nano-antenna and an ultra-high-speed rectifying diode combined as a nano-rectenna. This device can be used to power nanosensors using part of the terahertz (THz) information signal without any other system external energy source. The broadband properties of nano-rectennas enable them to generate direct current (DC) electricity from inputs with THz to optical frequencies. The authors calculate the output power generated by the nano-rectenna and compare this with the power required for nanosensors to communicate in the THz band. The calculation and analysis suggest that the nano-rectenna can be a viable approach to provide power for nanosensors in body-centric nano-networks.

Inspec keywords: carbon nanotubes; terahertz wave devices; nanosensors; body sensor networks; biomedical telemetry

Other keywords: nanosensor power sources; energy bottleneck; direct current electricity generation; body-centric nano-networks; ultra-high-speed rectifying diode; nano-batteries; nano-sized sensors; power transfer; terahertz band; carbon nanotubes; wireless information; rectifying antennas; healthcare application; nano-rectenna powered body-centric nano-networks; external energy source; wireless body-centric nano-network

Subjects: Biomedical measurement and imaging; Biomedical communication; Biomedical engineering; Micromechanical and nanomechanical devices and systems; Microsensors and nanosensors; Sensing and detecting devices

References

    1. 1)
    2. 2)
      • 16. Chen, Y., Shi, R., Feng, W., et al: ‘AF relaying with energy harvesting source and relay’, IEEE Trans. Veh. Technol., 2016, 9545, (c), pp. 11.
    3. 3)
      • 11. Jornet, J.M.: ‘A joint energy harvesting and consumption model for self-powered nano-devices in nanonetworks’. 2012 IEEE Int. Conf. Communications (ICC), 2012, pp. 61516156.
    4. 4)
      • 17. Chen, Y., Shi, R., Feng, W., et al: ‘AF relaying with energy harvesting source and relay’, IEEE Trans. Veh. Technol., 2017, 66, (1), pp. 874879.
    5. 5)
    6. 6)
    7. 7)
    8. 8)
    9. 9)
      • 13. Varshney, L.R.: ‘Transporting information and energy simultaneously’. 2008 IEEE Int. Symp. Information Theory, 2008, pp. 16121616.
    10. 10)
    11. 11)
    12. 12)
    13. 13)
    14. 14)
    15. 15)
    16. 16)
      • 20. Gadalla, M.N., Shamim, A.: ‘28.3THz bowtie antenna integrated rectifier for infrared energy harvesting’. 2014 44th European Microwave Conf. (EuMC), 2014, pp. 652655.
    17. 17)
    18. 18)
    19. 19)
    20. 20)
      • 15. Grover, P., Sahai, A.: ‘Shannon meets tesla: wireless information and power transfer’. IEEE Int. Symp. Information Theory – Proc., 2010, pp. 23632367.
    21. 21)
    22. 22)
    23. 23)
    24. 24)
    25. 25)
http://iet.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1049/htl.2017.0034
Loading

Related content

content/journals/10.1049/htl.2017.0034
pub_keyword,iet_inspecKeyword,pub_concept
6
6
Loading