Characterize the information–energy tradeoff in wireless dual networks

Characterize the fundamental tradeoff between downlink information rate and harvested energy in wireless dual networks comprising a fixed access point with a constant power source and distributed user terminals that replenish energy via far-field RF wireless power transfer, by formally deriving an appropriate rate–energy region or capacity–energy characterization under the network model where the access point coordinates simultaneous wireless information and power transfer to user terminals.

Background

The paper motivates simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) by describing a dual wireless network in which only the access point has a constant power source while user terminals must harvest energy from downlink RF signals. This architecture requires joint design of information transfer and energy harvesting strategies.

Although the paper focuses on simplified three-node setups to begin exploring SWIPT tradeoffs, the authors explicitly note that, at the network level, quantifying the fundamental tradeoff between information throughput and harvested energy remains unaddressed. This motivates a formal characterization (e.g., a rate–energy region or capacity–energy function) for the dual network model.