High-Efficiency Multistage Charge Pump Rectifiers Design

Ying Wang, Ce Wang () and Shiwei Dong
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Ying Wang: Xi’an Institute of Space Radio Technology, Xi’an 710100, China
Ce Wang: Collage of Electronics and Information Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Shiwei Dong: Xi’an Institute of Space Radio Technology, Xi’an 710100, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 20, 1-12

Abstract: This paper presents an advanced radio frequency (RF)–direct current (DC) power conversion architecture based on a multistage Cockcroft–Walton topology. The proposed design achieves an enhanced voltage conversion ratio while maintaining superior RF-DC conversion efficiency under low input power conditions. To address the inherent limitations of cascading Cockcroft–Walton topologies with class-F load networks, a novel ground plane isolation technique was developed, which utilizes the reverse-side metallization of the circuit board. A 5.8 GHz two-stage Cockcroft–Walton voltage multiplier rectifier was fabricated and characterized. Measurement results demonstrate that the circuit achieves a maximum output voltage of 7.4 V and a peak conversion efficiency of 70.5% with an input power of only 30 mW, while maintaining stable performance across varying load conditions. A comparison with a two-stage Dickson rectifier reveals that the Cockcroft–Walton rectifier exhibits superior output voltage and conversion efficiency. The proposed architecture delivers significant improvements in power conversion efficiency and voltage multiplication capability compared to conventional designs, establishing a new benchmark for low-power wireless energy harvesting applications.

Keywords: charge pump; high efficiency; Dickson rectifiers; Cockcroft–Walton rectifiers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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