A compact, self-powered ambient backscatter device operating in 900 MHz GSM band

This study presents a proof of concept of an ambient backscattering node operating in GSM 900 MHz band. The node has a compact size of 6 cm $\times$ 2 cm and embeds an 8 bits microcontroller, a backscattering RF interface, and a DC/DC boost converter to be connected to an external photovoltaic cell. The design is validated by practical measurement in indoor environment and demonstrates the possibility to communicate wirelessly without any battery and based on ambient GSM RF signals.