Powering devices using RF energy harvesting

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for an application including a core device for the application. The apparatus includes a power (preferably RF energy) harvester connected to the core device to power the core device. Also disclosed is a method for an application. The method includes the steps of converting RF energy into usable energy. There is the step of powering the core device with the usable energy.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is related to the wireless powering of devices. More specifically, the present invention is related to the wireless powering of devices with a power harvester. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] As processor capabilities have expanded and power requirements have decreased there has been an ongoing explosion of devices that operate completely independent of wires or power cords. These “untethered” devices range from cell phones, and wireless keyboards to building sensors and active RFID tags. [0003] Engineers and designers of these untethered devices continue to have to deal with the limitations of portable power sources, primarily batteries as the key design parameter. While performance of processors and portable devices have been doubling every 18-24 months driven by Moore's law, battery technology in terms of capacity has only been growing at measly 6% per year. Even with power conscious designs and the latest in battery technolo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Traditional RF receiving devices have focused on maximizing selectivity of the frequency to isolate and to be coherent without interference from other sources. In contrast, while the present invention operates at a specific frequency or range of frequencies, the device accepts any interference to supplement the output power of the device. Also, the research related to power harvesting that uses RF energy as a source has primarily focused on devices in close proximity of the source (inductive or near-field energy). In most cases, prior research assumed a dedicated or directed source of RF to power the device.

[0018] With this method and apparatus a device's power storage components do not require replacement, thus enabling the device to be permanently placed off-grid, where it may be physically impractical, costly, or dangerous (due to a harsh environment) to provide maintenance.

Problems solved by technology

Even with power conscious designs and the latest in battery technology, many devices do not provide the lifetime cost and maintenance requirements for applications that require a large number of untethered devices such as logistics, and building automation.

For both device types, scheduled power-source maintenance is costly and disruptive to the entire system that a device is intended to monitor and / or control.

Unscheduled maintenance trips are even more costly and disruptive.

On a macro level, the relatively high cost associated with the internal battery also reduces the practical, or economically viable, number of devices that can be deployed.

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