In this paper, a super-broadband (SBB) rectifier using a wideband resistance compression network (WRCN) and harmonic cycling is proposed, simulated, fabricated, measured and analyzed in detail for the harvesting of ambient Radio frequency (RF) energy. Meanwhile, impedance compression and matching are achieved to implement the SBB using WRCN and impedance operation networks. Additionally, harmonic cycling structure and bending technology are employed to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and reduce the size, respectively. For demonstration, a prototype of the proposed rectifier is fabricated and measured. The measured results are in good accordance with the simulated ones, indicating that the rectifier can provide high efficiency and ultra-broadband rectification characteristics. A PCE over 50% is realized at 3.5 GHz with an input power range of 6–24 dBm, and a PCE of 75% is obtained at an input power of 18 dBm. The PCE is greater than 50% at 17 dBm with an input frequency of 2.7–4.6 GHz. This work can find significant applications in the development of RF-harvesting.

This paper presents a novel compact rectifier array with both broadband and wide input power range characteristics. The rectifier array consists of two rectifier units operating at lowpower and high-power levels, respectively, and an adaptive input power distribution network (AIPDN) enabling automatic distribution of radio frequency (RF) energy at different power levels. In addition, a matching inductance is introduced to counteract the capacitance of the diode. As a result, the high RFDC power conversion efficiency (PCE) is achieved in both broadband and wide input power range. For demonstration, a prototype of the presented rectifier array is fabricated and measured. The measured results are in good accordance with the simulated results. With an input power range of 8 – 25 dBm and a bandwidth of 1.82 – 2.75 GHz (fractional bandwidth of 40.7%), the PCE is greater than 50%. At 2.4 GHz, the input power ranges from -5.5 to 27.5 dBm with PCE greater than 50%. Besides, a peak PCE of 72.1% is obtained at an input power of 25 dBm. This work can lay the foundation for the development of a new RF energy harvest systems with wide frequency band and dynamic input power.