Energy harvesting and sustainable networks: zero-energy devices

Zero-Energy Device Vision

The 6G sustainability vision targets zero-energy IoT devices that harvest all operating power from ambient sources — RF signals, solar, vibration, thermal gradients, or piezoelectric energy. These devices never need battery replacement or charging, enabling truly deploy-and-forget massive IoT. RF energy harvesting from cellular base station transmissions can power devices consuming microwatts at distances up to several hundred meters. Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer (SWIPT) enables the base station to deliver both data and energy to devices in a single transmission, a key…