Energy Harvesting Analysis for Next Generation Passive RFID Tags This paper focuses on the design of a high efficiency cross-connected differential drive rectifier for next-generation passive RFID tags. To provide a realistic estimation of the transponders’power and efficiency requirements at 5.8 GHz, detailed link/power-budget analysis for various blocks of the tag chip is carried out. From link budget analysis realistic RF power levels are obtained and a rectifier with high conversion efficiency at low power levels is designed. Simulations based on a commercial 65nm CMOS technology investigate the suitability of the harvesting circuit for 5.8 GHz RFID tags. 18 18 Technische Universität Berlin