A Broadband Rectifier with High Dynamic Range Based on Complementary Dual-branch Structure for Efficient RF Energy Harvesting

This work presents a novel complementary impedance-shaping technique to enhance the bandwidth and input power dynamic range of RF energy harvesting rectifiers. The design utilizes two parallel branches, each comprising a transmission-line impedance transformation network followed by an identical rectifier core, and the DC outputs are combined at the load. The two networks are co-designed to generate opposite reactance trends across frequency and power, thereby maintaining a low input reflection coefficient. The impedance-shaping mechanism preserves both matching and efficiency with a weak dependence on the driving power. Measurement results demonstrate that the circuit achieves a fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 124% (0.4 -1.7 GHz), with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) above 50%. The peak efficiency reaches 71.3% at an input power of 12 dBm. Moreover, the rectifier maintains efficiency above 50% throughout a broad input power range of 22 dB (-2 to 20 dBm).