Dual-polarized device powers and secures wireless IoT sensors
A New Backscattering Dual-Polarized Rectenna for Wireless Power Transfer and IoT Applications
Cryptography and SecurityNetworking and Internet Architecture
Summary
Small wireless devices often need a way to get power and send information without bulky batteries. The authors made a special device called a rectenna that can both collect energy from wireless signals and send data back by changing how it reflects signals. It uses two different signal patterns to do these tasks separately but within the same device. They tested this by creating a wireless sensor that works without a battery and can send encrypted messages to keep data safe from hackers. This invention could help many internet-connected gadgets work longer and more securely.
rectennaenergy harvestingbackscattering modulationdual polarizationwireless power transferIoTbattery-free sensorAES-128 encryptionBluetooth Low Energywireless communication security
Authors
Taki Eddine Djidjekh, Quentin Bernyer, Alexandru Takacs
Abstract
This paper proposes an innovative dual-polarized backscattering rectenna that operates in two distinct modesenergy harvesting and backscattering modulation-driven by two-bit digital control signals. By utilizing two orthogonal (co-and cross-) polarizations, the design represents a versatile candidate for IoT applications such as battery-free wireless sensing, identification, localization, and communication. The rectenna's dual functionality is validated through its integration into a proofof-concept battery-free wireless sensor, where it operates both as an energy harvester and as a dual-polarized backscattering modulator. As a proof of concept, a 16-byte AES-128 encrypted payload is backscattered over the wireless power transfer link to enhance the resilience of a battery-free Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless sensor against replay, relay, and eavesdropping attacks.