This paper presents a preliminary study exploring the feasibility of designing batteryless electronic shelf labels (ESLs) powered by radio frequency wireless power transfer using commercial off-the-shelf components. The proposed ESL design is validated through a dedicated testbed and involves a detailed analysis of design choices, including energy consumption, energy conversion, and storage solutions. A leaded aluminium electrolytic capacitor is selected as the primary energy storage element, balancing cost and performance while maintaining compactness. Experimental evaluations demonstrate that an ESL can update its display within 4 to 120 minutes, depending on input power and RF frequency, with harvester efficiencies reaching up to 30 %. Challenges such as low harvester efficiency, extended update times, and hardware constraints are identified, highlighting opportunities for future optimizations. This work provides valuable insights into system design considerations for RF-powered ESLs and establishes a foundation for further research in energy-neutral Internet of Things applications.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2503.13009,
title = {Designing RF-Powered Battery-Less Electronic Shelf Labels With COTS Components},
author = {Jarne Van Mulders and Gilles Callebaut},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2503.13009},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
12 pages, 5 figures and accepted for presentation at the IEEE Wireless Power Technology Conference and Expo